Heyyyyyy. So, I'm bored. There's that. I have more vacations next week, you know, holiday reasons. Last break I had was Fall break but now it going to be Winter Break (starts next next week). I'm been thinking of visiting one the island I haven't been too yet. I don't know. I'll update you guys on it later, enjoy!
Percy's POV
Percy kinda felt that he was going going to be chosen. Not because he's supposedly strong. But because he's always had that sort of luck. Whether it was good or bad... he had no idea.
When Percy entered that little chamber, Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched-up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire.
Hehe. Krum. Crum. Fleur. Floor. Stop, I have to be somewhat mature... Maybe just for right now.
"So," Cedric said, looking like he's trying to start a conversation up, "You're the Olympus champion? That's pretty cool. Isn't your school known for being dangerous, or at least that's what Dumbledore told us. Not that he meant it in a bad way".
Dangerous? Well...
"I guess. Most people would call it dangerous because we're always targeted. But, what they forget is that we are trained in both combat and magic... More combat though".
"How do you guys train- " Suddenly the door opened. Percy looked up to see emerald-green eyes staring at them, looking... Confused?
What is he-
This is the reason I wanted you to protect him. He's been chosen, but not by me.
But..he couldn't have entered... He was underage.
Fleur Delacour looked around when Harry walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.
"What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
She thought he had come to deliver a message. Percy knew the truth though. Harry just stood there, looking at the four champions. It struck Percy how tall all of them were compared to him. But he is fourteen after all.
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind Harrry, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Harry by the arm and led him forward.
Try not to break it.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing Harry's arm. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen... and lady," he added, approaching the fireside and addressing them four. "May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fifth Quadwizard champion?"
Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Harry. Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to Harry and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said. Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman".
"Fleur... I don't think this is a joke", Percy said, looking at her.
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric was still looking politely bewildered (Yes, there was such thing). Percy...didn't know how to act.
Fleur frowned, "But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman. "'E cannot compete. 'E is too young".
"Well... it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Harry.
"Hope you don't mind me saying", Percy lied, "but just because something is 'cool' doesn't mean it's safe. He is too young. There's an age limit for a reason. It's dangerous".
"But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet... I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage... It's down in the rules, you're obliged... Harry will just have to do the best he -"
The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Chiron, Madame Maxime, and two other professors.
The woman is Professor McGonagall. She's a cat animagus. And the man is Professor Snape. He's very skilled in potions and knows me personally. He knows about you and your connection to the Olympian world. But... He's not very... Fond, of Harry. Anyway, that's them.
Was it really necessary to tell me all of that..?
Yes.
Percy heard the shouting of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall. Then he heard a familiar voice, "SHUT IT!!"
And with that, the noise stopped.
Oh. Thanks Thalia.
Professor McGonagall closed the door.
"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"
Little boy? He's not that young.
Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she said imperiously.
Percy tried not to laugh.
Dumbly-dorr.
Focus!
'Kay, sor-ry.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions - or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"
He gave a short and nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. "'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust".
Chiron walked over to Percy. Percy knew Chiron wasn't going to fight with Dumbledore. He stayed near him, but never included himself.
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever.
Kinda creepy..
"Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools", he finished.
"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice.
Percy turned to Professor Snape. But he wasn't looking back.
"Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here -"
"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.
Told you.
Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly. (A/N I was deciding whether to do it like the movie or the book. But I chose the book. Movie one was pretty funny though XD)
"No," said Harry. Everybody was watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.
"No," said Harry vehemently.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.
"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.
"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily.
"Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"
She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.
I'm liking this professor already.
"Mr. Crouch... Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament. "
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.
Even if this is bad... It's still not fair to the other schools.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed.
"You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore".
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament -"
"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?"
It was the same guy who had gotten Karkaroff to leave Harry alone. His name was... Moody! That's right. Percy only remembered it because he was laughing at it previously. Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody. "
Percy could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
"Don't you?" said Moody quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out. "
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "but... funny thing... I don't hear him saying a word... "
Well what do you want him to say..? "Oh no! Get me out of this horrible mess!"
"Why should 'e complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it," said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl.
An extremely tense silence followed these words. Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man...what a thing to say!"
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons".
Again, Percy felt guilty for wanting to laugh again.
"Imagining things, am I?" growled Moody. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet... "
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only four schools compete in the tournament... I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fifth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category... "
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," said Karkaroff coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously... "
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember... "
What did he do..?
Many things... All of them.
All of who..?
No answer.
"Alastor!" said Dumbledore warningly. Percy guessed that (by default) that the name Alastor belonged to 'Mad Eye'. Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction - Karkaroff's face was burning.
"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do... "
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it".
Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked furious; Karkaroff livid; Bagman, however, looked rather excited. Of course he did.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
"Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes... the first task... "
What? Do us competitors not get a say in this..?
He moved forward into the firelight. Close up, Percy thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup.
"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told Percy, Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard... very important... "
Oh this should be easy.
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges".
"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed with the weapon of their choice. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests".
Eh. I don't have to take exams anyway.
Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore.
"I think that's all, is it, Albus?"
"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at Mr. Crouch with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"
"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," said Mr. Crouch. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment... I've left young Weatherby in charge... Very enthusiastic... a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told... "
Percy couldn't hold in his laughter much. He ended up snickering when he said "Weatherby". Luckily, only Chiron, Fleur, and Cedric heard him. Chiron tapped his shoulder in a soft but reprimanding way, while Cedric and Fleur smiled at him. Fleur a bit too... much, at Percy for comfort.
"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" said Dumbledore.
"Come on, Barry, I'm staying!" said Bagman brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"
"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.
"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.
But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Percy could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence.
"Harry, Cedric, Percy, I suggest you go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at both of them. "I am sure Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and the others are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise".
"But we are not cleaning up after you. Percy", Chiron said with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Do you want to come?" Percy replied back.
Chiron shook his head, "This is your celebration, and I'm far to old for a party".
"Define 'old'".
Chiron just ruffled Percy's hair and shoved him lightly toward the door.
Percy glanced at Harry and Cedric, who nodded, and they all left together.
The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.
"So," said Cedric, with a slight smile. "We're playing against each other again Harry!"
"I s'pose," said Harry.
"Again?" asked Percy.
"Our houses have their own teams for quidditch. Last year, as my father said", Cedric scratched the back of his neck a bit awkwardly, "Harry flew off his broom and Hufflepuff won the match".
"That would be fun. To have quidditch teams. Not the whole 'flying off a broom' thing", Percy said.
They walked in silence for a while. Until...
"So.. Harry... tell me... " said Cedric as they reached the entrance hall, which was now lit only by torches in the absence of the Goblet of Fire. "How did you get your name in?"
"I didn't," said Harry, staring up at him.
"I didn't put it in. I was telling the truth".
"Ah.. okay," said Cedric. Percy could tell Cedric didn't believe him. Anyone besides the demigods would probably not believe him. "Well... see you two, then".
Instead of going up the marble staircase, Cedric headed for a door to its right. Percy and Harry were listening to him going down the stone steps beyond it, then they started to climb the marble ones.
Harry looked deep in thought for a while.
Percy decided to break the silence, "Hey... If it makes you feel any better... I believe you. I've been thrown into things never wanted... So, I sorta know how it feels". Then Percy tried to do his best "don't worry" smile. Harry smiled back but Percy could tell it was forced.
When they got in the Gryffindor Common Room, Percy had to practically cover his ears from the amount of cheering. He rushed to get in the Olympus common room. When he got there, it was a different story.
...
Okay. Hi. Bye. Next update 12/20/19
-E.V