Master of Mischief Keeperoliver Chapter 28
It had been announced that the Tri-Wizard Championship Tournament would be held this year at Hogwarts, and Two other schools would be attending later in the year to compete in the Tournament. Durmstrang, and Beauxbaton would arrive just prior to Halloween.
The following Month and a half were filled with anxiety. No one under 17 years of age were to enter, and the charms put on the cup, ensured if you were under age, it would not accept your name. It didn't stop the students from trying to do it though, Some of the ways it rejected the students was rather comical, such as Fred and George ending up looking like twins of Dumbledore. Or Michael Corner turned upside down and spanked in front of the whole school, by an unknown hand. Then their was Seamus who put his name in somehow, but the cup spit it back out. He tried this several more times, with the same result. Finally, the cup had had enough, and fired a flame at Seamus, setting his hair on fire, without burning him. He walked around bald for a week, before it all came back.
Halloween night, Professor McGonagall stood up and got everyone's attention. "If you would all quiet down please, we will commence with the drawing of the Champions." She walked to the cup and called for the first name. Miss Fluer Delacour of Beauxbaton." A large round of applause was heard from the male population, for the part veela. The ladies, except for Beauzbaton, were less enthused.
Minerva called once again, and the flame shot out another piece of paper. "Viktor Krum, Durmstrang." A larger applause was heard for the renowned Quidditch player. Both male and female chanted his name, "Krum, Krum, Krum!"
Then Minerva called one last time, and The flame shot forth the paper, "Cedric Diggory, Hogwarts!" And the loudest applause for the hometown Champion, was heard.
The three Champions were about to be led off to a side room , when the Cup flared once more, "Fred Weasley, Hogwarts."
Fred sat there with a huge grin on his face, "I didn't think it worked. Alright, then, let's get this show on the road." he said as he joined the other Champions.
Minerva, Maxine, and Vladamir, were all quite upset at the last selection. They didn't know how Weasley had bypassed the system, to enter his name, but they were sure going to find out.
The three Heads followed the students into the side room, followed by Ludo Bagman, and Arthur Weasley. Ludo as Head of Magical Gaming Division, and Arthur, as the Chosen representative of the Ministry. Arthur was quite upset with Fred at the moment, and would have a serious talk with him later. Minerva, in the mean time, had cornered Fred asking him if he had entered the Tournament. "I won't lie Professor, George and I both tried, but we were thrown out of the circle, and ended up looking like Dumbledore twins. That was the only attempt I made. Here is my slip of paper with my name on it."
Minerva looked at the slip Fred gave her, and held it against the slip from the Fire. The hand writing was completely different. "Someone else has put his name into the cup. Ludo, he is not of age, and he did not enter his name into the Tournament. I suggest we withdraw his name from the competition."
"I am afraid we can't do that. The rules clearly state, once a name is drawn from the fire, that becomes a binding contract for the participant. He must compete. Isn't that right Arthur?"
"I'm afraid he is correct Minerva, As much as it pains me to do so, Fred has to compete."
Fred was in the corner doing a little victory dance.
George was sitting in the common room, wondering how Fred managed to put his name in the cup. He wasn't upset though, as they both had tried to enter. He was in fact proud of the fact that Fred had been chosen. He was of course beat him to a pulp, for not telling him how he did it.
Hermione sat in the corner, crying for the fear she felt for Fred. She knew the history of the Tri Wizard Championship, and it sickened her. She was being comforted by Harry, Ginny, and Samantha, who were also worried for their brother Renegade. "Hermione, He will be alright, we will make sure that Fred will make it through this. They are down there right now telling him, because he is still underage, and, Therefore, cannot compete." Ginny softly told her.
That was when Fred triumphantly entered the room, and said, "I'm in!"
Hermione jumped up and ran to her dorm, and was not seen for the rest of the night. Fred seeing this went to the three remaining friends. "She's upset isn't she?"
Ginny slapped him in the face, "Of course she is you idiot. You have just been entered into the deadliest game in the Wizarding world, and you come in, happy to be participating. How do you think she should feel? Why did you put your name into the Goblet? Didn't you stop to think how Hermione would feel if you were selected?"
"Ginny, I didn't put my name into the Goblet, some one else did. Professor McGonagall matched the two entries. The one I tried was different than the one that was chosen. However, since my name came out, I still have to compete, Dad even said this."
Ginny shook her head, and with Samantha, left to go and calm Hermione down. Fred sat and held his hands to his head, and thought what an idiot he was. He hadn't considered Hermione's reaction to his being selected when he and George tried to enter. He had a lot of making up to do with her. He hoped she would take him back, after this .
The first event was to be held in one week, and the Renegades were all trying to help Fred with training, all that is, except Hermione. She was not talking to Fred. She knew that Fred had not put his name in the Goblet, but he and George had tried, and he was happy with being selected, then confirmed, as a Champion. They had been told that the first challenge would test the Champions would test their courage, and all they would have is their wands for the challenge. They could receive help from their friends but not from the Professors.
It was three days before the Challenge when Fred received a message from Charlie, his brother, to meet him at the edge of the Forbidden Forrest, at midnight. Fred got there, and sure enough, there was Charlie. They hugged briefly, and Charlie started, "Listen Fred, I am not supposed to let you know about this, but I will be damned if I let my brother go into this thing blind."
Charlie led him into the woods, and brought him to a break in the trees, that was big enough to hold four large Dragons. Fred gulped and said, "Are these the first Challenge?"
"Yes. I don't know what you will have to do, but at least you know what you will be facing. You might want to inform the other contestants as to what they are about to face? Good luck Fred, you're going to need it." They hugged once more, and separated, with Fred going back to the common room.
As Fred was telling the rest of the Renegades what he had to face, he did not see Hermione listening, and so did not see as she left the common room to go to her dorm, crying.
Minerva was quite proud of herself, When she was put in charge of acquiring the needs of the needs of the challenges, she made sure that key elements were in place, such as Charlie Weasley being one of the handlers for the Dragons. She knew that Charlie would not let his brother enter the this challenge without first hand knowledge of what he was facing, and knowing him, he would want Fred to warn the other Champions. Arthur heard who she had asked for in particular, and Thanked her for her quick thinking.
Hermione woke up early, and showered and dressed for the day, and headed down to the library to gather as much information as she could about dragons. Their weaknesses, strengths, reflexes, reaction times. Their habits, food preferences, mating rituals, everything. She left nothing for chance. She may not be speaking to Fred right now, but it did not mean she still didn't love him. She would do anything for her friends, but especially to Fred and Harry. Hmmm, she usually brought Harry up first when thinking of the two, but all of a sudden it was Fred first. When did that happen?
She rolled up her parchment and headed for the Great Hall and breakfast. She arrived, seeing Fred talking to the other three Champions, and the looks of the faces, she knew Fred was letting them know what the first challenge was. They thanked Fred,with Fleur giving him a kiss on the cheek, which ticked off Hermione just a bit, but when Fred wiped the kiss off, as he was leaving, she felt much better.
As Fred sat down to eat, he was surprised when Hermione took her seat next to him, and was more surprised when she gave him a roll of parchment. He opened it up, and looked at it. He turned and kissed Hermione passionately, which left Hermione swooning. She smiled at Fred, "I can't let my second favorite guy go into something unprepared, now can I?"
"Second?"
"Well, yes, of course Harry is first. But you knew that already. After all, Harry is my brother. Always has been, and always will be. But you my love, hold a special place in my heart. Don't ever forget that. And if you ever think of doing some thing this stupid again with out telling me first, I will hex the living shite out of you, you got it, mister."
"Yes, my love. I will never do some thing this stupid again, with out telling you first."
"No, not do, think about doing. I will stop you from doing any thing stupid. Now, since you have been cleared of classes, I want you to study this parchment. It will tell you everything you need to know about dragons. Now, give me a kiss, as I have to get to class." Which he whole heartily agreed to.
MoM-}
Fred had studied the parchment Hermione had completed for him. It was brilliant, as usual. It had everything he needed to know about dragons. He had the Master charm his robes against dragon fire, and make him a shield of dragon scales for better protection. The Mistress had used her power to cover his scent, so that the dragon he was paired with would not detect him that way. As luck would have it, bad luck, he drew the Norwegian Ridgeback. Not as bad as the Hungarian Horntail that Krum got, but not far behind it in ferocity, and tenaciousness. Being the youngest competitor, Fred got to go last.
He stood at the entrance, and watched all the other competitors as they faced their Challenge. Krum was almost burnt to a crisp as he attempted to get past his Dragon. The Horntail was extremely upset that something was trying to get at her clutch. Viktor managed to get his hands on the golden egg he was to retrieve, and left the arena.
Fleur was next, and got by her dragon, by shooting a confundus charm at the dragon, confusing it for a brief second, long enough for her to get the egg. Unfortunately, the dragon came around before she was able to get out, and hit her with it's tail, sending her crashing into the wall by the exit. She had used a cushioning charm, so the blow was not as bad as it appeared, but she was still shaken, and appeared to be favoring her wand arm. She did manage to escape without further injury.
Cedric entered the arena next, and saw his dragon sitting at the base of the stand where her clutch was. He transfigured a large boulder in front of him into a large wolf, and had it try to get to her clutch from the other side, hiding his actions. It took sometime, as the dragon stayed in her position, using her tail to fend of the wolf. Cedric was getting worried, as he knew that the spell would wear off soon. Finally, the wolf made it to the top of the Platform where the eggs were, forcing the Dragon to turn her back on Cedric, and he made it to the platform, got the egg, and hurried back to the exit, without a scratch.
Finally, it was Fred's turn. He stopped just before entering the arena, and placed a disillusionment charm on himself. He used one of his and George's inventions, it it projected an image of a male Ridgeback doing a mating dance, Raising it's ridges on his back, displaying a myriad of colors to the female. Although she was watching her clutch, it was still near the end of the mating season, and she was still interested in the mating. She eased toward this new male, and as she left, Fred ran up, got his egg, and left, before the female found out her interest was a phantom.
Fred had completed his challenge in the shortest amount of time, without injury. The judges were impressed, and awarded him the highest score. Fred received 49 out of fifty possible points. Cedric was next with 43 points, Fleur had 42. She would have had more, but the tail whip at the end of her challenge lost her some crucial points. Krum, receiving the burns,was in last with 39 points.
When he got back to the Common Room, he was cheered by the Gryphs, and was being pounded on the back by everyone, but he was looking for someone in particular, and found her in the corner, waiting for him. He approached Hermione, and drew her into his arms and kissed her. It was a tender kiss this time. It was a thank you, kiss, and a 'I love you', kiss, all in one. They stood there like that for five minutes, until the crowd finally got to break them up, asking Fred to open up the egg for the clue to the next challenge. Fred started to get up, but stopped. "Hey you, do you want to do the honors. After all, it was you, who made this all happen. If I hadn't read that it was still the Ridgback's mating season, I don't know what I would have done."
"Can we do it together, that would be more appropriate, being that you are the Champion."
"Let's go then." he said as he pulled her up, and helped her up on the table, where he joined her.
Before he got to open the egg, someone entered the Commom room, and Fred looked over to see his father standing there watching. Fred called him over, and had him join them on the table. On the count of three, they opened the egg, and had to be caught by the students standing around them, as the opened egg made the most hideous noise ever heard.
"Well, that was unexpected." Came from Hermione, still in Georges arms, where she fell.
Fred, who fell in Ginny and Harry's arms, "A bit loud, don't you think?"
Arthur who fell in Samantha and Collins arms, "Very annoying, and quite appalling, I must say."
"What was that?" someone asked from the crowd.
"That, is up to Fred to discover, with the help of all of you. If you want him to survive, be the Renegades that you are, and discover the secret of the clue." Arthur stated, before he hugged Fred and Hermione and left.
Fred was perplexed. His father was very vague in his answer, and left a lot of unanswered questions in his wake.
MoM-}
Minerva once again got every ones attention for the Breakfast meal, "Listen up every one. It is a tradition that the Tri-Wizard Tournament have a Ball in it's honor. This one will take place, just prior to Christmas Break. If the Champions would meet with me after Breakfast, I have something to explain to you. Thank you, and now back to the meal."
The Hogwarts students were used to this by now, but always looked forward to the balls they had. The Durmstrangs and the Beauxbatons were of different views. The Durmstrangs appeared to be put off by this announcement. The Beauxbatons seemed excited by it.
Fred finished his breakfast, and headed to the side room, where they first gathered after the selection. He met up with Fleur, and walked in to the room with her. When all were there, waiting, all of the other Champions came up to thank Fred, for alerting them to what the first challenge was. They also congrratulated him on his choice of defeating the Dragon, and Fred told them that if not for Hermione, he would not have been so lucky. Fred did not see the look in Viktor's eyes, when he said this.
Professor McGonagall entered the room, and the four got quiet to hear what she had to say. "As Champions, you are to lead the Tri-Wizard Ball, with the first dance, so it is best if you do not delay in finding a partner for this dance. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some work to do."
As they were about to leave, Fleur stopped Fred , "Fred, I ave yet to sank you properly for you help, and would like to know if you would accompany me to zee dance?"
"Thank you Fleur, you flatter me, but I believe I already have a date for the dance."
"Vell, I vill keep zee offuer open to you, for 2 days zen, if you should change your mind."
Fred left the side room looking for Hermione, and found her with Viktor. He was talking to her, as she was shaking her head no, and Viktor walked of with a sullen look on his face.
"What was that all about?"
"Mr. Krum just asked is I would accompany him to the Ball, and I politely refused. I'm afraid he is not used to rejection, as he did not take it well. Now, do you have something to ask me?"
"Ya, I do. What color dress robes do you think I should wear for the Ball. Fleur seems to like blue, what do you think?"
Hermione did not look like she appreciated Fred's little joke, and he was sorry, he ever said it. "Well, if Fleur likes blue so much, maybe I should add that color to circle your eyes. You know, Black and Blue. That is what you will be wearing , if you don't tell me you were kidding?"
"Hermione, you can believe me when I say, I Was Kidding! She did ask me, and I told her I believe I already have a date. Now, will you go to the Ball with me, Please?"
"Let me think about it, I'll tell you on Christmas."
"HERMIONE"
"WHAT?"
"PLEASE!"
"PLEASE WHAT?"
"PLEASE GO TO THE BALL WITH ME?"
"You are so pathetic. Of course I'll go to the Ball with you. Although I should have given Viktor a chance, as he is a famous Quidditch star."
Fred hung his head, "Let me go get him for you." As he took a step, Hermione hit him with an odor charm, in the Arse, that made him smell like he Shite his pants for about two hours.
"What did you do that for?" He cried.
"Because you are such a prat. And don't bother changing your clothes, as it won't stop the odor from escaping. Don't ever piss me off again."
"Yes my love."
Fred knew it, he was whipped. Hermione had him wrapped around her little finger. But he sort of liked it there, if you want to know the truth, warm, safe, and secure. Yup, he's whipped, but he couldn't wait to be ...well maybe later!
