A couple of days ago, two prestigious magical schools in Europe came to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament. It is taking place in Hogwarts this year.
Today, we all assembled in the Great Hall for the selection ceremony of the Triwizard Tournament. The spacious hall consisting of four long tables for us and one table for the staff filled up quickly.
It was announced by Mr. Bartemius "Barty" Crouch Senior that the tournament would have three extremely dangerous tasks and only the students who are above the age of 17 were to be allowed to participate. Many of our seniors who wished to compete, wrote their names upon a piece of parchment and threw it in the flame of the Goblet.
Harry, Ron and I are ecstatic to know who will be part of this championship and who will be the winner. Our excitement for the ceremony can be seen in the spark in our eyes.
Dumbledore darkens the room by extinguishing the fire lamps and the selection ceremony begins. But….out of nowhere, I start feeling strange. I feel something horrendous is going to happen…. something incredibly wicked. This feels like a warning for the future. The unlit environment is making me feel even more peculiar. Nevertheless, I ignore my odd feelings and focus on the ceremony.
The fire changes its color from blue-white to red and one by one, the three champions' names are announced. This includes Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff who will be representing Hogwarts, Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Institute from Central Europe, and Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic from France. Everyone in the hall is applauding, cheering and clanging their plates and spoons. All of them are strong enough to last in the game until the end. They are known as the record setters or champions of their own sc
I can sense the exhilaration in the surroundings as the Triwizard cup is revealed to us. It is shiny, big, and made out of "fine pewter" and "diecast metal", with a "wooden base". I wonder if it's heavy.
Dumbledore and the staff are equally delighted with the chosen champions. Everything is going steadily, when suddenly the color of the fire changes from blue-white to red and blows another name out.
Dumbledore catches the parchment. His expressions start becoming terrorized. The happiness vanishes in the fraction of a second after he reads the name. Softly he calls out "Harry...Harry Potter'' and then loud enough for us to hear "HARRY POTTER!"
Wait...hold on. Did I hear it right? Did he just say Harry? How is it possible? How did it even happen in the first place? Harry is not 17! He didn't add his name in the Goblet, at least I think he didn't. What is going on?
All these questions are surfacing in my mind. It is hazy with running thoughts. I feel the need to have the answers to all my burning questions, immediately. My strange feelings have just became a reality.
Everybody's hands become still. I am convinced that every person is as amazed as me. The cheers eventually fade away. The environment is taciturn. All are glaring in our direction with suspicion in search of Harry, who is sitting right beside me.
The Goblet of Fire has unexpectedly chosen Harry as the fourth champion.
I gently push Harry in Dumbledore's direction. Everyone looks sceptical, many don't trust Harry. I think Harry didn't do it. He and Ron have been making immature decisions however Harry wouldn't risk his life. It must have been someone who wants to hurt him. Who can it be?
Harry's steps are a little full of fear. He is lumbering. Some shout "He's a cheat", "He's not even 17 yet." He isn't able to walk with confidence like before and how would he, after everything that just happened!
Dumbledore looks apprehensive. I am startled to see him like this yet I kept my posture and expressions the same. I'm sure Harry must be feeling miserable because of all the false allegations that are being thrown at him from the students. For the first time in four years, I see Harry shudder around Dumbledore.
What will happen to Harry? It's not safe for him to be part of this tournament! It's not even allowed! He is a boy and not a piece of meat! Harry is far too young to compete. Can't he leave it?
My concerns are increasing as time passes by.