Hi everyone, I hope you enjoy the story so far. It is going to get more mature as the chapter progress so yea! Please let me know how you are enjoying it or any suggestions. Thanks!

Chapter Nine

The Great Hall was transformed at the end of September for the day for choosing the champions for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Instead of having four long tables, there were stands set up around the room for groups of students from all of the schools to sit and watch. Barty Crouch was standing next to Dumbledore and talking with their heads together as students were streaming in.

Natalie and Penelope sat next to Lee and the Twins. Fred frowned and crossed his arms. "My name should be in there."

"No, it shouldn't." Natalie said firmly. "You could get hurt in this tournament."

"We need the startup money." George complained. "You wouldn't understand."

Natalie shook her head. "Let's just enjoy the show, okay? There's other ways you could make money off of all this…" she smiled wickedly which caught their attention.

"How?" Fred asked leaning forward intrigued.

"Bets. Do gambling behind the scenes and make money off of each event. Pocket some money along the way." She smiled and looked him in the eye.

She watched his emotions go from shock, to admiration, and then annoyance as he didn't think of that plan. "I think that might work, Flint."

"Anytime, Weasley." Natalie winked and Fred gave her a big kiss on the cheek which made her cheeks grow red and hot.

Dumbledore began speaking and everyone immediately quieted down. Natalie could not focus on what he was saying, all she could think about was who would be Hogwarts champion? It had to be a great honor to represent your school and show everything you've learned from the collection of years spent in the castle from the professors.

Viktor Krum, from Durmstrang, was called first from the goblet of fire. All of the boys from the school boomed and patted their champions back as he got up and went to the champions chamber. Dumbledore shook his hand before he had exited and turned back to the goblet.

The next champion called was a beautiful girl from Beauxbatons, Fleur Delacour. She got up gracefully and danced up to Dumbledore who gave her hand a quick kiss before she disappeared the same way that Krum went.

The Hogwarts students began to buzz and the feeling in the room was filled with excitement and anticipation. Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff captain and seeker, was called as the champion. Every Hogwarts student cheered for the attractive boy who walked up to Dumbledore who proudly clapped him on the shoulder.

Everyone was talking when the goblet of fire exploded it seemed like. Natalie grabbed Fred's thigh with fear, and he looked at her mischievously. "You can do that more often, Nat."

"Now is so not the time." She shook her head in disbelief as Fred laughed next to her, clearly not affected by the odd scene in front of them.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called with no excitement in his voice that the other three champions had.

Hermione pushed Harry up from his spot and the scared boy walked towards Dumbledore. The headmaster did not shake his hand but instead directed him to the chamber that the other champions exited. Professor McGonagall jumped up and raced over there, followed by other professors.

Once Harry Potter's name was called Natalie's eyebrows shot up. She was livid. How did a 4th year out smart her? Fred and George could've had their name in the goblet if she had thought of whatever technique Harry had used. "How did that git out smart me?" She whispered under her breath to Fred and crossed her arms over her chest.

"He looks confused, like he wasn't aware his name was put into the Goblet." George noted.

Fred shook his head. "I can't believe it. What a legend."

"Prefects, please lead your houses back to the common rooms. We have—some things to discuss. Thank you." Dumbledore smiled at all of the students and followed the anxious professors towards the champions quarters.

All the other students were trying to process the chosen one's name being called out and there were very mixed emotions. Someone screamed out "He's a cheat!" and the grumbling began as Harry staggered out of the Great Hall.

Natalie shook her head, still confused on how he managed to get passed the safety, age line that Dumbledore had drawn himself. Once the champions were out of the room, the adults dismissed everyone else and they went to go talk to the champions. "Ron. How did Harry get his name in the fire?" Natalie asked, grabbing the young Gryffindor's arm.

"Don't ask me. I'm not important enough to know." He huffed and stormed off out of the Great Hall.

"Ronald!" Hermione called after him and chased after him out of the room.

"Lovers quarrel." George shook his head. "What a shame."

As they walked out of the Great Hall, Natalie zoned out of the conversation as the twins made up a plan on how they would have people place bets for the tasks in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. She couldn't stop thinking about how Harry Potter had outsmarted her.