Author's Note

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; all characters belong to the talented J.K Rowling.

Another cute little chapter about Laurel and her friends. I'm trying to give you guys more material on her friendships with other students. In the books, Harry doesn't really spend much time with anyone but Hermione and Ron, so I like the idea of Laurel expanding and creating more friendships between houses and such.

Enjoy! And review.

~Briane94


Chapter 12

The Four Champions

The next morning Laurel was woken up by Hermione extra early. Laurel, who only slept in on weekends due to studying in the mornings and having classes, groaned in annoyance and rolled over.

"Laurel come on, get up, don't you want to watch people put their names in the cup", Hermione said excitedly.

"Nooooo," Laurel said through her pillow.

"I'm leaving without you then. Hurry up and get ready", Hermione huffed as she left.

Laurel contemplated going back to sleep, before she sighed and realised she didn't want to miss all the excitement. Throwing the sheets off her, Laurel got up finally and got ready. Since it was Saturday, she didn't need to wear her uniform, and so she went to her cupboard and searched through it was something to wear. She settled on a light blue cardigan and a lace white top with white jeans and boots. She did her hair quickly in a bun; put her wand in her wand holster and grabbed her bag and shoved a few books in it and homework in it in case they went to the library after.

As Laurel was walking down from the girl's dormitories she noticed Neville coming down from the boys dormitories.

"Hey Neville, going down to the Great Hall?" Laurel asked.

"Yeah, thought it was worth a look," Neville replied as he stumped down the last step.

"Want to walk together?"She said.

"Sure", Neville smiled.

"So who do you think will be Hogwarts champion?" Laurel asked.

"Um, I don't know. I heard everyone talking about Cedric from Hufflepuff".

"I think Cedric would be perfect," Laurel said, thinking back on the night he had helped her.

"Do you know Cedric," Neville asked, seeing the look in her eyes. Laurel blushed, looking down. She didn't really want to tell people about that night.

"Oh, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to", Neville said as she stayed silent.

"No," Laurel said slowly, "it's not that, I just didn't want it spread around, it's kind of personal", Laurel said, not sure if personal was the right word for it.

"Okay, but just please don't tell anyone", Laurel said.

"I would never," Neville said passionately.

"Thank you Neville," Laurel smiled, "Okay, well remember the Quidditch world cup".

Neville nodded and she continued.

"Well, in all the chaos of the night, I was separated from everyone else. And I was searching for everyone until a heard a noise and a wizard was approaching me, and it just didn't feel right. He asked if I was lost and wanted to help me find them, but he was covered in dirt and I think he was drunk. And then Cedric found me and told him to leave, and the wizard attacked us and cast a spell, luckily Cedric put a shield up in time and knocked him out, but I was so grateful after that" Laurel said pensively.

"Wow, I didn't know Cedric was that good", Neville marvelled.

"Yes, it surprised me to. With all my reading and studying I used to think I could handle something like that, but I guess not", Laurel said sadly.

"Don't sell yourself short Laurel. You're the best at most of the practical aspects of every class. Everyone thinks your amazingly talented", Neville said boldly.

"Thanks Neville", Laurel said as they came to the entrance hall.

The entrance hall rang with laughter, and Laurel and Neville walked over in curiously. Fred and George seemed to be ones that everyone was laughing at, for they now displayed long white beards.

"I did warn you," said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. "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."

Now that the excitement was over Laurel got a good look at the Goblet of Fire. It had been placed in the centre of the hall on the stool that normally bore the Sorting Hat. A thin golden line had been traced on the floor, forming a circle ten feet around it in every direction.

Fred and George set off for the hospital wing, accompanied by Lee, who was howling with laughter, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione, also chortling, went in to breakfast. Laurel caught up to them, along with Neville.

The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of live bats was fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of carved pumpkins leered from every corner. Harry led the way over to Dean and Seamus, who were discussing those Hogwarts students of seventeen or over who might be entering.

"There's a rumor going around that Warrington got up early and put his name in," Dean told Harry. "That big bloke from Slytherin who looks like a sloth."

Harry shook his head in disgust.

"We can't have a Slytherin champion!"

"And all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," said Seamus contemptuously. "But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks."

"Listen!" said Hermione suddenly.

People were cheering out in the entrance hall. They all swiveled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grinning in an embarrassed sort of way. A tall black girl who played Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Angelina came over to them, sat down, and said, "Well, I've done it! Just put my name in!"

"You're kidding!" said Ron, looking impressed.

"Are you seventeen, then?" asked Harry.

"Course she is, can't see a beard, can you?" said Ron.

"I had my birthday last week," said Angelina.

"Well, I'm glad someone from Gryffindor's entering," said Hermione. "I really hope you get it, Angelina!"

"Yes, good luck", Laurel added.

"Thanks, Hermione, Laurel," said Angelina, smiling at her.

"Yeah, better you than Pretty-Boy Diggory", said Seamus, causing several Hufflepuffs passing their table to scowl heavily at him.

"There's nothing wrong with Cedric being the champion, whoever's chosen will obviously be the best choice", Laurel said hotly.

"On a first name basis are you then", Seamus said, wagging his eyebrows suggestively. Harry turned and looked at her. Laurel didn't know why, but she didn't want Harry to think she liked someone else.

"Oh grow up. Some of us can be friends with the opposite sex without being attracted to them", Laurel said as she turned her back on him.

"What're we going to do today, then?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione when they had finished breakfast and were leaving the Great Hall.

After visiting Hagrid, Laurel and Hermione went off to the library to study. Hermione was working on her S.P.E.W campaign, while Laurel was working on her transfiguration assignment. It was Laurels best subject, and she wanted to make sure she kept her grades up. Professor McGonagall had said if she keeps them up, by sixth year she might even be able to take extra study sessions with her to become an Animagus. Laurel was so excited. She wanted to work ahead and try out some of the fifth year course work.

As she was reading through a old textbook she's found that had been assigned for transfiguration for the fifth years a couple of years ago, she heard someone walking this way and looked up.

"Hi, Cedric," Laurel said shyly, putting the book down. She still wasn't quite sure how to act around him, since that night.

"Hi, Laurel. I was passing through and noticed you here and wanted to say hi," Cedric said awkwardly as he ran a hand throw his hair.

"It's kind of awkward isn't it? I don't know how to act around you after everything", Laurel said truthfully. Cedric looked at her in surprise, whether from her honest answer or something else she didn't know.

"Why don't we just act like friends? I see your studying transfiguration; you're not a fifth year are you?" Cedric asked as he looked at her textbook.

"No, I'm studying ahead", Laurel said. "Professor McGonagall said I might be able to learn how to become an Animagus in my sixth year if I keep my grades up".

"You know, I'm pretty decent at transfiguration. Why don't I see if I can help", Cedric said kindly.

And with that, Cedric sat down and helped Laurel study. A while later Hermione came back to the table and started listening in, interested in what Cedric had to say. Laurel realised Cedric had been lying when he said he was decent at transfiguration, he was excellent at the subject.

~O~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~O~

Later that night, Laurel, Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the candlelit Great Hall. The hall was almost full, with students talking excitedly to one another. The Goblet of Fire had been moved; it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teachers' table. Fred and George - clean-shaven again and were taking their defeat pretty well.

"Hope it's Angelina," said Fred as Harry, Laurel, Ron, and Hermione sat down.

"So do I!" said Hermione breathlessly. "Well, we'll soon know!"

The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days. Laurel picked at her food, to excited to eat much.

When the golden plates finally cleared themselves and returned to their original spotless state, Dumbledore rose to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "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."

He 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...A few people kept checking their watches...

"Any second," Lee Jordan whispered.

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"No surprises there!" yelled Ron as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall. Laurel watched in excitement as Viktor Krum walked from the Slytherin table and slouched up toward Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

Laurel clapped for Fleur as she walked up to the front of the room and disappeared through the door.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed," Hermione said over the noise, nodding toward the remainder of the Beauxbatons party. Two of the girls who had not been selected had dissolved into tears and were sobbing with their heads on their arms. Wow, Laurel thought, talk about an overreaction.

The Hogwarts champion was next. The hall seemed to be buzzing with even more excitement than before.

And 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," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

Laurel screamed in excitement. Cedric was the Hogwarts champion! As he walked past her, he winked at her and Laurel waved.

Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers' table. Indeed, the applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him. Laurel looked at the Goblet of Fire in confusion. The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment. What was going on, Laurel thought.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out -

"Harry Potter."

Laurel gasped in shock and fear as she turned to Harry. It seemed Harry was in shock as well. His expression was blank, like he didn't know how to react. Laurel felt rather than saw everyone else staring at Harry was well.

There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall. Laurel was confused. How could Harry be a champion when there were only three students chosen? Had the Goblet been faulty, had it made a mistake? And how had Harry's name been put in the Goblet in the first place. It made no sense. Looking at Harry, Laurel knew he was just as shocked, and realised he hadn't put it in. She thought back on the other day when he'd been asked if he'd consider entering and he had said no. Even Fred and George didn't get through the age line. Had Harry? No, Laurel thought. Harry couldn't have done it. Someone else must have done it.

Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly.

Harry turned to Laurel, Ron, and Hermione; beyond them.

"I didn't put my name in," Harry said blankly. "You know I didn't."

Laurel nodded at him, and he saw relief in his eyes at her small gesture, while Hermione and Ron just looked at him blankly, still shocked.

At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

"Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

"Go on," Hermione whispered, giving Harry a slight push.

"It'll be alright Harry", Laurel said softly as he left. Laurel watched as Harry walked towards the staff table, there was total silence; no one made a move to stop Harry.

"Well...through the door, Harry," said Dumbledore, and then Harry was gone. Suddenly the hall filled with noise as all the students started talking, some were even yelling, booing at the staff table. No one stopped them, for the teachers were all still trying to process what happened.

"What do you think will happen?" Laurel asked, looking at Ron and Hermione.

"They can't let him compete, its ridicules, Harry doesn't know enough", Hermione said. Ron didn't say anything.

Just then, Dumbledore called for order.

"Now, since the champions have been selected, it's time to return to your houses. Good night", Dumbledore said hurriedly before he, Professor McGonagall, Professor Moody, Professor Snape, Ludo Bagman, Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime left to join the champions.

The twins started yelling at the Gryffindors, "Party in the common room! For our new champion!" And with that, the Gryffindors all started getting excited, realising that they had a champion from their house.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "honestly, they haven't even said that Harry's competing yet".

Laurel looked at Hermione, "Remember what Dumbledore said, the contract is binding. Harry might not have choice Hermione. He has to compete".

"No they can't," Hermione said, thinking before gasping as she realised that Harry would have to compete. They started to get up and leave, before realising Ron was already half way to the entrance hall.

"Ron, wait up," Hermione called, but he ignored them and kept on walking.

"I wonder what's wrong with him", Laurel mused. It seemed everyone was rushing back to the tower. Because of all the students walking to the tower, Laurel and Hermione took a short cut through a secret corridor that Fred and George had shown them in their first year. As they were walking, they didn't talk, both lost in their own thoughts.

When they got to the common room, everyone was in party mode. There was food and drinks of the tables, compliments of Fred and George, though Laurel didn't understand how they beat them to the common room.

"I wonder where Ron is." Hermione asked as she looked around.

"I think he went up to the dormitories", Ginny said, overhearing their conversation.

"Can you believe it? Harry a Hogwarts champion", Ginny was saying excitedly.

"Mmm, yes. It's a shock", Laurel muttered, "I might go see what's wrong with Ron". Laurel walked up to the boys four year rooms and entered.

"Ron", she called, noticing him sitting on his bed. He looked upset, and she thought maybe he was concerned about Harry.

"Are you okay?" Laurel asked as she walked up to him. She usually didn't come up here, it wasn't really against the rules but it was still frowned upon. She could see Ron wasn't very clean and orderly with his things, clothes and books were on the ground or thrown haphazardly in his trunk.

"I just can't believe it you know", Ron said bitterly.

"I know, I'm worried about Harry. I don't understand how this happened", Laurel said. Ron looked up at her in annoyance.

"I meant I can't believe its Harry again. It's always bloody Harry, every year. He didn't even tell me, his best friend that he had entered. I suppose he wanted all the glory for himself", Ron said, kicking one of his books.

"But Harry didn't enter. You heard him", Laurel said, looking at Ron in shock.

"Of course you'd take his side", Ron muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean. Of course, I believe him, he's our friend", Laurel said angrily.

"I'm not as stupid as you think. I see the way you two look at each other. It's pathetic, you don't do anything about it", Ron said spitefully. Laurel couldn't believe her ears. This was Ron, one of her best friends, acting like a total jerk.

"How dare you! You have no right Ron to say that! Have you ever known Harry to lie before? And how I feel has nothing to do with you", Laurel said infuriated.

"Yeah yeah, just go. I've had enough of Harry always being the centre of attention", Ron muttered before closing his curtains.

"Fine, come find me when you realise how stupid your being", Laurel said before leaving, slamming the door shut on her way out.

As she came back down, she found Hermione.

"What's wrong? Is Ron not feeling well", Hermione asked. Laurel huffed and shook her head angrily.

"No, he's being an idiot! I can't believe him. He thinks Harry put his name in the Goblet of Fire just for attention", Laurel answered.

"What? But he knows Harry wouldn't have done it", Hermione said.

"Apparently not," Laurel muttered before the crowd exploded into noise. Harry was walking inside before everyone started surrounding him, screaming, applauding and whistling.

You should've told us you'd entered!" bellowed Fred; he looked half annoyed, half deeply impressed.

"How did you do it without getting a beard? Brilliant!" roared George.

"I didn't," Harry said. "I don't know how -"

But Angelina had now swooped down upon him; "Oh if it couldn't be me, at least it's a Gryffindor -"

"You'll be able to pay back Diggory for that last Quidditch match, Harry!" shrieked Katie Bell, another of the Gryffindor Chasers.

"We've got food, Harry, come and have some -"

"I'm not hungry, I had enough at the feast -"

But nobody seemed to be listening to Harry. Laurel caught his eye and motioned for him to come over. He detangled himself away from the crowd and came over.

Laurel looked him over. "Are you alright Harry?" she asked.

"I'm fine, I just need to get away from all this", Harry said, practically shouting at her with all the noise.

"Grab your cloak and the map and meet me outside the portrait", Laurel said quietly as she left. Hermione had already left to study in the quiet of their dormitories, so it was just Laurel. She waved at Neville as she left and went outside. It was quieter outside and Laurel sighed in relief. She couldn't image Harry wanting to stay in there as well.

Laurel wasn't usually one to break the school rules, but she thought given the situation, Harry needed some peace and quiet from all that. She was only waiting for a few minutes before Harry came out, muttering angrily to himself.

"So, I take it you saw Ron", Laurel asked in concern.

"I can't believe him. He thinks I did this to get attention", Harry shouted as he punched a wall. Harry cried out in pain, cradling his hand.

"Why'd you do that Harry," Laurel sighed, "Let me see it".

"It's fine, it's just a little blood", Harry muttered, wincing from the pain.

"Give it here Potter", Laurel said sternly as she took his inured hand. It wasn't too bad, nothing was broken by the looks of it.

Taking out her wand, she had read up on healing charms and spells, though she's never used one before.

"Healios", Laurel muttered, tapping her wand on just before the gashes. They both watched in fascination as the gash healed itself, leaving only the blood from the gash.

"Tergeo", she then muttered to clean up blood.

"Done", Laurel said, smiling to herself at her achievement.

"How'd you do that?" Harry asked as he examined his hand.

"I read Harry", Laurel said, rolling her eyes, "Come on then, let's go for a walk along the grounds".

So off they went. They both fit under the cloak, though they did have to stay close together. Every now and then they'd stop and check the map to make sure no one was around, just in case.

It took longer than normal, but finally they were outside. The main entrance was shut like usual, but there were many ways to get outside. There was a small door that led to a courtyard, they found the door unlocked and then jumped down from the open window like arch way onto the ground. Once they were outside they took the cloak off. They had checked the map and found no one ever came outside at night, thinking the students wouldn't reach the grounds. They didn't light there wands, just in case someone passed a window and saw them, so they walked in the dark, their only light the crescent moon.

They came to the edge of the lake and settled down under a tree. Harry lay down on the soft grass, and laurel used his shoulder as a pillow and lay down beside him.

"You know Harry. I believe you about not putting your name in the Goblet of Fire", Laurel said softly.

"Thanks, your about the only one", Harry sighed sadly.

"Hermione believes you as well you know".

"I wish Ron would. I don't want to be in this tournament. I wanted a normal year for once", Harry muttered angrily.

"I know", Laurel said, looking up at the sky, with all the stars in the sky it was a pretty sight. It was starting to get cold, Laurel shivered and Harry moved closer to her. Even with their thick jackets on and cloaks, it was still cold.

"I think you'll be great though Harry. You might not have learnt as much as the others, but you have Hermione and me and you have more experience in these types of situations than anyone I know. I'd be surprised if you didn't win", Laurel said truthfully.

"Really", Harry asked in surprise.

"Really," Laurel said, "You'll do great. We can start practicing tomorrow if you want. I'm sure Hermione's in as well. You'll show everyone else that you've just as good as them".

"Thanks. I'll take you up on that. Even that healing spell will come in handy".

"Yes, and duelling, we should practice offensive spells and defensive spells. Blocking and counter charms", Laurel said, thinking of all the spells Harry needed to learn, it was going to be a lot.

"You'll really have to focus Harry. You can't die in this tournament", Laurel said, upset at the thought of Harry dying.

"That's what Moody thinks. That someone put my name in to try and kill me", Harry said.

"Well then. We'll just have work extra hard to make sure that you're prepared Harry", Laurel said seriously.

"I know. It's going to be hard," Harry said. They were silent after that, both of them lost in thought. Laurel loved it out here; there was no one else around, only them. It was totally silent, bar the sound of an owl hooting in a tree occasionally or the sound of a splash every now and then from the lake.

In that moment, everything was peaceful. It was almost like a dream. Being outside after hours in the dark made it all the more exciting.

Laurel didn't know when, but she had fallen asleep at some point, and Harry was shaking her gently.

"Mmmm", Laurel muttered, still half asleep.

"We have to get going Laurel. We can't stay here all night", Harry said quietly.

"What's the time?" Laurel asked sleepily.

"It's almost two in the morning", Harry said as he looked at his watch.

"Really," Laurel asked as she brushed the hair out of her face. She realised her clothes were slightly damp from the dew and there was grass over all over her clothes.

"Yeah, now come on", Harry took her hand, and looked at the map before they made their way back to the castle.

"It looks like we're clear. I think the teacher's must not parole the castle this early in the morning", Harry said quietly. Laurel led them back to the tower while Harry watched the map just in case. They went without the cloak on, since it was quicker and there was less chance of getting caught at this time in the morning.

They didn't have any problems getting back. When they climbed through the portrait (after waking an angry painting) there was no one around. There was still mess everywhere from the party, the house elves hadn't cleaned up yet.

"Night Harry," Laurel said as she walked towards her dorm.

"Laurel," Harry said, grabbing her hand. Laurel turned around.

"Yes Harry", Laurel asked.

"Thanks again, for everything. You're a great friend", Harry said, blushing. Laurel smiled as she walked back to her room.

No one woke up when she came back into the room. Laurel was thankful, there would be too many questions to answer, even if she'd done nothing bad. But when someone hears you spent all night out with a boy and snuck back into your room, it doesn't look good.

Laurel was just drifting back to sleep when hers eyes opened wide, not that you could tell in the dark, and she came to the realisation. She liked Harry Potter. And she smiled after that, thinking that maybe Harry liked her back. It was hard to tell with boys. She didn't get much sleep that night, thinking about ever little detail on her's and Harry's friendship and if he did in fact like her.


Authors note

Laurel and Harry are so cute! I love them. I'm starting to slowly let them explore their feelings and eventually they'll get together. But it will be slow, and maybe a little awkward and they will be shy. At that age in your first relationship I think that's accurate.