Hogwarts Great Hall
Hermione Granger was an unhappy young lady who was feeling lost at the same time.
After Perseus, the greek Hero from legend and if her knowledge was correct, a 'descended heretic god', was killed by Harry's Firebolt of all things she regained control of herself and wasted no time setting all nearby Gryffindor boys to right. As she was responsible for the more exotic binding curses she learned from both the books she bought and those found in the library.
She knew the fact that Harry had somehow managed to place his broom through Perseus's heart which was significant for a reason. However the subject of heretic gods did not come up often and it was not one she pursued actively so she didn't know why.
What she did know was that it was significant by the way how the ministry officials milled about and all the teachers strictly patrolled the tables filled with students. The hall had magically expanded to fit all visitors who had been urged in by the unspeakables and aurors under Madam Bones command.
The muggleborn witch was reasonably certain about quarter of all the important ministry people and public figures were currently gathered in the hall. Both from viewing the first task and those who showed up later to manage the aftermath.
She shot a look to the unspeakables who had taken Harry's Firebolt and wand despite her best attempt to retrieve it. She had hoped to repair the Firebolt herself somehow to make up for both being distant so she wouldn't get involved in the mostly one-sided fights started by Ron by his jalousies, and more importantly however she wanted to assuage the guilt she felt for cheering for Perseus and feeling happy when he shot Harry's arm off.
Logically she knew she was effectively under a superpowered, gender based imperius curse. Her heart however felt that she was a complete and total traitor. Which was made worse as she did not even know if Harry had survived. The only indication she had that he had not died on impact was that Madam Pomfrey had not covered him under a white sheet as she carried him off.
She idly noted how Rita Skeeter, a well known gossip writer that made the front page more often than it deserved was seemingly writing an essay of twenty feet long on the event if her growing stack of parchment and maniac look was any indication.
Her gaze then turned to the table furthest to the right where most of the oldest adults had gravitated to. They seemed to be in an intense discussion with one of the unspeakables and most of the dragon tamers and she would have loved to wander over and listen in. It would maybe explain more what was happening at the Badger table.
She knew that the Badgers had most of their members wearing the 'Potter Stinks' badges. A large pile was a testament of that and the teachers had so far interrupted three passionate attempts to destroy the pile by fire. It was so bad it warranted that the Arithmancy professor now practically sat on the pile of pins.
The sudden inclination for pyromancy did not bother Hermione. What did bother her were the loud accusations she couldn't understand that the Badgers made to each other and Cedric Diggory's face that was set to supreme disappointment. The bushy haired girl desperately wanted to know why the house of Badger's were convinced they were 'Doomed' and that 'Potter will destroy us all'.
As far she knew Harry had taken the badges with the same resigned reluctance as he had taken the second year accusations of him being the heir of Slytherin. She wondered how people felt that Perseus had declared that he had been the one that had slain the Basilisk. As far she knew that would have been news to most people as Harry had not shared the story outside the Weasleys, the headmaster and her.
She made another attempt to get a look at the book the Ravenclaws were passing around and debating about. She had hoped she could listen in to the table next to the Gryffindors but between the shouting of the badgers and the general loudness you got with a room full of people it was impossible for her to listen in.
The Slytherin table was unsurprisingly the quietest. They were grouped up in their own little cliques discussing the recent events and much to reluctance Hermione had to admit if there were no adults around she would have tried to join in. The pureblood members of the house of snakes most likely knew what was going on as this was something with historical significance.
What did confuse her however was that the few times they pointedly glanced in her direction they immediately looked away as if they were afraid they would invoke some great evil to descend on them if they looked too long. The sneers that would usually come when she made eye contact were absent as well.
The students of the foreign schools shared a table and on a second look Hermione had the feeling that the Durmstrang students had a very good idea what was going on while the Beauxbatons students were listening with great interest.
With a start Hermione realised she was so busy focusing on the other tables or wallowing in her guilt that the purebloods in her own house might know what in the blazes was going on. Seemingly summoned by her thoughts the pranking twins snuck over and sat down beside her.
"Well well, It looks like our raven in the lion's den is wondering what is going on." Fred started with a smirk. George frowned and smacked his twin on the back of the head. "Hermione." he said in a tone with a surprising amount of empathy. "Do not worry about whatever you did under the control of Perseus's authority."
"Authority?" Hermione echoed uncertainly. The term vaguely reminded her what she had read on heretic gods but for once her memory failed her. Fred's face flashed a moment of guilt and understanding. "What he used to get all the women to cheer for him." he explained.
"Nothing you can do about it. When the gods are involved we are but pebbles in their path. Easily kicked away." George quoted from somewhere. "Who knew those stories grandma had us read as punishment would be good for something." Fred noted with some amusement.
"But.. it still feels so wrong. The feeling of total devotion… feeling so.. Fulfilled Harry got so badly injured. I don't even know if he is going to get his arm back in the infirmary!" she exclaimed. "To just sit back and watch my best friend about to be killed and cheer for the man responsible for doing it!" She noted the flash of jealousy in Ron's eyes sitting opposite to her but thought no further of it when Fred said in a stern tone she had never heard coming from the twins.
"Not a man Hermione. A heretic god." he said. "A being with powers that would pulp Hogwarts in a single blow if they so felt inclined. The difference of power between a witch to a god is so hilariously large it's unfunny." George added.
Hermione deflated and she felt slightly better. "Thank you…" she mumbled and the twins lost their stern expression in a flash. "No problem fair lady." "Our goal is to make people smile." Hermione mustered a smile for the pair which had them beaming in pleasure. "So oh wise twins of knowledge." she managed to tease and her smile widened at their expression as they wondered if she was having them on or that she was serious.
"Why is everyone still so upset? I mean… after he hit the ground with Harry's broom through his chest he disappeared. So why are so many people freaking out?" To say Hermione was alarmed when the somber expression returned was an understatement. "That is because Perseus did not disappear. He died." Fred stated. "Gods can die?" Hermione asked as she tried to remember anything from the books she had read.
"Yes. They can. It is nearly impossible and the people alive who did so can be counted on one hand. Well two now because of Harry joining that list of people." George said. "I still can't believe he killed him with a broom." Ron said with a frown and the trio of Weasley's were surprised when Hermione shook her head. "I am not. You do realise brooms are heavily reinforced so that they stay intact after you plow them into the ground after a Wronski feint or other such maneuvers?"
"Huh. Good point." Fred said surprised. George chuckled "I wonder if the Firebolt advertisements are going to sport a 'God-slaying broom.' tagline." "Guaranteed to capture a god's heart." Fred suggested.
"So even if Harry somehow managed to pull off the impossible again. What has everyone so upset?" Hermione cut in before the twins could conjure up more morbid taglines. "You really don't know do you?" Fred noted with some surprise. "Well. Anyone who kills a god by defying fate is called a Campione." He was about to continue his explanation when the great Hall doors opened. The people the great doors let in quickly drew everyone's attention and it fell silent in a hush.
Everyone waited patiently as all the professors and headmasters found their seats while the ministry gathered in two blobs on either side of the professor's table. Hermione noted there were two women in a different, rather regal kind of dress positioning themselves beside Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman." Dumbledore greeted in a calm but authoritative voice. "I apologize that everyone was gathered in this hall while we sorted our affairs and I ask for your understanding." The silence that replied to him seemed to be expected to the old wizard. "Now without any further delays I will let our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge explain what happened."
It was clear it was the last thing the minister wanted to do by the betrayed look he shot towards the Headmaster who calmly sat down. "Minister. If you would please." Dumbledore prodded and Hermione briefly wondered if the old Headmaster had picked up a subtle sadistic streak with his old age by how he put the unwilling man in the spotlight.
The minister visibly gathered himself and stiffly moved in front of the professors table and stood beside the pillar the Goblet of Fire was seated on. "Thank you Headmaster Dumbledore." he said with his wand placed against his throat of a weak Sonorus. It was clear he was trying to match the Headmaster's tone but failed miserably.
"I hope everyone is um.. Well from the aftereffects of the heretic god's influence." he winced at the title. "As you can expect his.. Um… appearance was unplanned and unwelcome… this happened because uhm… somebody made a clear mistake in transporting the dragons to the task."
There was a general sense of disbelief and by the audible increase of speed of Skeeter's quill it was clear not many people believed the redirection of blame stated with such a lack of confidence. The woman beside the headmaster sighed and stepped forward. "Hello everyone. My name is Patricia Ericson and I am a member of the Witenagemot."
To the surprise of most it was clear Fudge was very happy with the interruption and the minister wasted no time hiding in the crowd of ministry personnel." Hermione was not the only one who was now thoroughly interested in the woman's words. She had read often enough how the Witenagemot handled all the magic that did not involve a wand.
The library had stocked a few books on these other branches of magic but Hermione found she had no affinity for any of them. Just as the books warned she would have not as it was unlikely that her ancestry would allow her to be a descendant of a heretic goddess of magic and allow her to pray to other gods for their help.
She did wonder how the Witenagemot had picked up on the event so soon. From what she understood it was more a gathering like minded people who maintained their side of the Statute of Secrecy and scratched each other's backs for mutual gain.
Miss Ericson took a parchment from one of the unspeakables who had hovered over when she started her introduction. She scanned it quickly and nodded as if it confirmed something. "From the information gathered we deduce the following things happened. Earlier today the heretic god known as Perseus from Greek legend finished his descent. The cause to start his descent has been noted to be the improper transport of four dragonoid creatures which has a chance of attracting a heretic god with a legend in slaying dragons."
"Upon appearing he interfered with the First Task set for the fourth champion Harry James Potter. After slaying the dragon he used an unnamed authority to enforce his control over any woman with a magical lineage…" she paused when she saw Headmaster Dumbledore stand up.
"I would like to remind everyone that the effects of this authority is the same as the Imperius Curse. For that reason I want every witch to understand that they should not feel guilty they have undertaken while under this effect. Nor should they feel guilty for being under his spell." he turned to Miss Ericson with an apologetic nod. "My apologies for interrupting."
"You caused no offense. It is an important point to make and reiterate." she accepted. "After that Mister Potter's broom entered the field and soon after Mister Potter drew his wand on Perseus for unknown reasons who took it as a challenge. After avoiding the first attack Mister Potter attempted to flee but failed to do so as Perseus used a second authority to call forth the Pegasus of his legend and gave chase."
"We suspect there was a second challenge laid down and accepted after that as they increased their distance between each other. They then charged together and Mister Potter avoided two further arrow attacks before the third managed to strike him and destroy his arm. We do not know if it was on purpose but in retaliation Mister Potter impaled Perseus through the heart with his broom." The last word was said with some incredulity but the woman forged on.
"By this action, as confirmed by both branches of magic we conclude that Harry James Potter ascended to the rank of the seventh Campione." she finished firmly and the hall exploded in noise as people shouted, discussed or demanded explanations.
Hermione completely felt confused as the title of Campione rang a distant bell but she could not understand why some people seemed to scream or moan in fear while others looked as if a ghost had come forward to reap their souls. The majority of those people seemed to be at the Hufflepuff and Slytherin table.
Dumbledore raised his wand and in a deafening explosion of sound forced the hall into silence.
"Silence please. Not everyone here knows what this entails and Miss Ericson cannot explain with you making a ruckus." Dumbledore scolded the hall. Regardless that only roughly a third were actual students under his authority.
"Thank you." Miss Ericson said as she took over again. "A Campione is a human who through some method managed to slay a god and usurp their divine powers. These powers are usually known as Authorities and could be crudely compared to extremely powerful spells."
She paused to think something over and then nodded to herself. "I shall recite a relevant passage, A Campione, a Godslayer, is a supreme ruler. Since he can kill a celestial being, he can therefore call on the sacrosanct, divine powers wielded by the gods. A Campione, a Godslayer, is a lord. Since the power to kill a deity is in his hands, he therefore looms over all mortals on Earth. A Campione, a Godslayer, is a devil. Since of all mortals who live in the world, none can assume a power to match his."
Hermione hoped she was not the only one looking in shock towards the woman. 'A godslayer, a devil, a king?' she asked herself in her mind while she was reeling at the pretentiousness of it all. It reminded her of the wall of arrogance that Perseus.
"But know this." Dumbledore cut in smoothly while seated and startling miss Ericson. "This passage is directed to Campione's enemies. A person's personality does not change upon ascending. The Mister Potter of now is the same Mister Potter of yesterday. It would do you well to remember that."
"However" he continued in a more ominous tone. "Be warned that an angered Campione is a natural disaster. They are unstoppable and there is no authority but their own that could truly punish them. Pompeii was the result of an angered Campione when he learned the citizens of the city had been deceiving him."
He gave a sideways nod to miss Ericson that he had said his piece. "This is not the first Campione to call Great Britain his homeland. It has been however been a long time since this has happened. I would also like to remind you that a Campione's authority is absolute lest you wish to garner their ire." she finished and Dumbledore flashed an expression of unhappiness at the last sentence.
As miss Ericson stepped back Dumbledore stood up again. "Thank you for the explanation, Miss Ericson. I hope this gave you all insight on Campione. My final words on this subject would be that you need to keep in mind that they are neither evil or good. That definition depends on how they use their powers. Now…" he trailed off when a loud crack echoed through the great hall.
He looked down to see the Goblet of Fire had a large crack running from top to bottom. With another thunder like crack another appeared. "Oh bugger." Dumbledore declared plainly and most people would admit later that this was one of the most alarming statements they ever heard pass from Dumbledore's lips. "Unspeakables. Your most powerful shield please." Dumbledore ordered as he started his own shielding spell.
"Magnum protego inverso maxima." Dumbledore intoned and the air thrummed with power as a nearly opaque blue shield covered the cup. Unheard spells from the Unspeakables formed a quartet of quarter shields that slid together into a larger version of the Headmaster's spell.
"Hogwarts, Protect thyself!" Dumbledore commanded loudly and through the more opaque orange shield of the Unspeakables a white one appeared over Dumbledore's shield. The floor appeared to magically charge itself and started to glow softly.
The aurors rushed forward and slid neatly between the ranks of the Unspeakables and formed a large shield wall. Upping the normal protego spell to cover themselves and those beside them.
A flash blinded everyone looking towards the covered cup and like a trio of enormous glass plates being shattered the shields failed and a puff energy broke through. To everyone's relief however it harmlessly scattered like dust into nothingness. Only disrupting the enchantments on the ceiling which fizzled out.
Then the doors flew open with a crack making everyone whirl around in surprise.