Into the Abyss
Chapter Forty-Five
The Goblet of Fire
With no quidditch to keep busy, Cho had joined in with Marietta's favourite pastime. Boys. The gossip of the dorm room swiftly changed from the quidditch talk and Celeste found herself missing the old Cho who would get up at stupid o'clock to drag the entire team out for an impromptu training session. But Celeste surmised that this was a part of growing up. The only boyfriend she had was Roger Davis in fourth year and that relationship only lasted two months. Besides, there were not a lot of boys who she could stand for long periods of time anyway, apart from the twins, Lee, and Cedric that is.
She wanted nothing to do with boys in the romantic sense, her parents were trying to marry her off to Flint at the end of the year and the blonde was determined to get out of it somehow. Celeste sighed as she collapsed back onto her bed, her cat, Loke mewled in worry before jumping straight onto her stomach. She smiled as she stroked him behind the ears.
"…did you see his arms?" Cho's voice echoed out from the bathroom.
"Did you see his arse?" Marietta asked, her shrill giggles caused Loke to hiss loudly. Ignoring them, Celeste's mind wandered to the new books she could be reading. Her latest assignment was to transfigure a needle into a rhinoceros, and she had no idea where to start.
"Boy talk boring you?" Michelle asked as she stepped out of her bed. The dark-skinned girl was dressed in a yellow sweater dress that reached her mid-thigh and tucked under her arm was a book titled 'Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales'. The title instantly piqued Celeste's interest, what was this world's version of fairy tales. Did they involve real fairies?
"I kind of miss the old days when boys didn't matter" Celeste murmured. She sat up, and Loke hissed in annoyance at being disturbed before jumping over towards her pillow.
"You could join my club where I pretend boys don't exist" Michelle suggested "But then that means I can't read this anymore" She gestured to her book with a wry smile.
"Is it any good? I've never heard of that author before".
"They're squibs," Michelle said with a small smile. Celeste nodded in understanding; her parents certainly would not have allowed anything written by squibs in their house. In their eyes there was nothing worse than being a wizard who could not perform magic.
"Their books are pretty famous in the muggle community, my cousin's a muggle and she bought me the book for Christmas, I've read it about seven times already,"
Celeste giggled, that sounded like something Levy would have done.
"You can borrow it if you like," Michelle said "It is for children, but I think you might enjoy it."
"Oh, thank you." Celeste beamed. She eagerly took the book from Michelle's hands.
The girls headed down the tower and to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Celeste still had a sour feeling about Moody ever since he transfigured Draco into a ferret and the fact that the Professor kept his Mad-Eye on her every time she so much as breathed, did nothing to ease her ill feelings about him. Celeste did not understand why the headmaster had hired such a man to teach he was obviously scarred from the war - literally and figuratively - and in no fit state to teach.
She pushed down her own feelings as she entered the classroom taking her usual seat next to Fred. He smiled in greeting and suddenly she felt miles better.
At that moment, Moody entered and announced that he would be putting the Imperious Curse on each of them to demonstrate its power. Celeste felt uneasy. The sheer thought of having her freedom taken from her was worrisome and sent horrible thoughts through her head - just what would Moody make them do under the Curse?
"Is this even legal?" Patricia Simpson, a blonde haired Slytherin asked with a frown. Beside her, Adrian Pucey nodded in agreement, he too looked rather worried.
"Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like" Said Moody flippantly "If you have a problem, then leave this room and bring it up with 'im - though that'll mean missing out on content for your NEWTS."
Patricia lowered her hand after that and muttered something under her breath.
One by one the students walked to the front of the classroom as Moody cast the curse on them. Penny Haywood meowed like a cat. Lee jumped onto desk whilst singing the school anthem. George performed a series of gymnastics that he certainly would not have been able to do in normal circumstances. Not one of them seemed able to fight off the curse and only stopped doing their ridiculous actions once Moody removed it.
"Malfoy," Moody growled "You're up now".
Celeste swallowed a breath as she walked to the front of the classroom, it had been cleared of desks so the students could move about to Moody's whim. Her firsts tightened and eyes stared firmly at the Professor, Moody pointed his wand at Celeste and said 'Imperio'.
It was a wonderful feeling. There was no light, no evidence that a curse had even been cast. Celeste felt a floating sensation as every thought and worry was washed away with a gentle breeze, leaving nothing but sheer, dumb, happiness. Celeste stood there feeling immensely relaxed and was dimly aware that everyone was watching, waiting for Moody to order her to do something.
And then she heard Professor Moody's voice, it echoed in a distant chamber deep within her now empty brain: jump onto the chair...jump onto the chair…
Celeste bent her knees obediently, preparing to spring like a leaping bunny.
Jump onto the chair…
Why? Another voice has awoken in her brain You do not want to do something so stupid! It said, and somehow this voice was strong like a gale force wind and sounded so much like Aquarius that it caused Celeste to shudder. Not wanting to incite her celestial spirits wrath, Celeste stood still as she fought back against Moody's Imperious Curse.
Jump onto the chair!
It was Moody's voice again, more insistent now as he repeated his command.
Celeste stood still; her face now red as she fought to resist her command. Her legs shook as they fought to jump and stay still at the same time. Moody's voice now echoed loudly to the point where it was too impossible to ignore, it screamed over the voice of Aquarius, drowning her out until she was nothing but a whisper-
Jump NOW!
At that moment, Celeste felt immense pain, she both tried to jump and stop herself from jumping - the result was that she had smashed into the chairs backrest arm first and from the sharp pain in her wrist, she had fractured it.
There was a sharp gasp as she felt Moody's voice leave her brain and she faintly registered someone gently peeling her from the floor.
"Look at that, you lot...Malfoy fought back!' Moody gushed and he sounded impressed...really impressed "You lot watched her eyes? Did you see how they changed? Pay attention! Malfoy we'll do that again! All of you watch closely".
"Professor, her wrist is broken," Cedric pointed out. Celeste realised that it was indeed Cedric who had picked her up from the floor. She felt lightheaded and found herself leaning against Cedric to prevent herself from falling.
"She needs to see a healer in case she hurts herself again," Cedric added.
Moody looked as if he wanted to argue but the bell rang signalling the end of class. The students filed out, murmuring about the class in excited chatter.
"You alright?" Cedric asked as they walked out the classroom not much later. He was no longer supporting her but watching the way Celeste cradled her injured left wrist, it had swollen now to the point it was double the size of her right wrist.
"Fine," Celeste answered with a grimace.
"The way he talks…" Cedric said '"You'd think we were under attack."
Celeste giggled "He's a bit mad, isn't he?"
"Mad-Eye Moody" Cedric chuckled.
"You can't say that!" Celeste hissed although a giggle escaped her.
Once they entered the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey huffed at the sight of Celeste and ushered her over to one of the cots.
"Let me guess, you had Moody today?" Madam Pomfrey asked with a roll of her eyes.
"What gave it away?" Celeste asked as Madam Pomfrey pushed her to sit down. She winced as the healer poked and prodded at her wrist and muttered out something which sounded like 'fracture'. Celeste watched as Madam Pomfrey flicked her wand to summon a roll of bandages and a vial filled with orange liquid towards her.
"Just this morning, Potter came in with two fractured kneecaps and Longbottom with a twisted ankle" Madam Pomfrey said. She stepped back, admiring her handy work before ordering Celeste to avoid any heavy lifting with her left hand. Then she gave Celeste the vial to drink - it tasted like rotten eggs as Celeste quickly downed the contents.
"Have you thought much...about the tournament?" Cedric asked after a moment of silence. Celeste shook her head.
"I don't turn seventeen until July," She said "Besides, it isn't something that I would do" Sure the reward money was rather appealing but growing up as Malfoy meant that she already had accumulated a rather handsome sum of gold before she was even old enough to walk.
"What's brought this on?" Celeste asked. She carefully searched Cedric's face and searched for any indication of what he was trying to tell her but found no hints.
"I um...I'm going to enter-"
"There you are!"
Celeste and Cedric turned to see the twins as they arrived. Celeste turned back to Cedric expectantly however, he shook his head muttering that 'it's not important'.
"How's the arm?" George asked tentatively. He picked up her injured left arm and inspected the bandage. Celeste watched as he reached for his quill with his other free hand.
"Fine now. Did you hear about Harry?" Celeste asked. The blonde quirked a brow as George started writing something on her bandage.
"What happened?' Fred sat down beside her on the hospital cot, the added weight caused her and Cedric to bounce up.
"Fractured both kneecaps during Moody's class this morning" Celeste told him; Fred gave a low whistle in response.
'Ouch" the twins said in unison. Now that George was done with her bandage, Celeste glanced down to see the words George Weasley written in his messy scrawl.
"Oi, what about me?" Fred asked. He then snatched the quill from George's hands. He started writing his own name and now the words 'Property of Fred Weasley' were strewn across the length of Celeste's bandaged forearm.
"Sorry, mate, "George said to Cedric with a mischievous grin "We've already called dibs".
Cedric chuckled "Don't I get a say in this?" Celeste asked with a huff. The twins exchanged a look before they answered 'no' in unison.
She could Fred's fingers ghosting over her bandaged wrist, his touch was careful as if afraid she would break further. Turning towards him, Celeste could see that his brows were pinched. Sitting closely to him, Celeste could see that the freckles dusting his face like stars were more concentrated around the bridge of his nose before they dispersed around his cheeks and forehead.
"The other schools will be arriving soon," Cedric said, his voice pulled Celeste from her wandering thoughts and she tore her gaze away from Fred. "Everyone's going down to the courtyard to watch, if you all wanted to go that is?".
"Sounds good to me," Celeste smiled, Cedric grinned in response "Are you two coming?"
The twins exchanged a look before Fred shook his head "Nah. You two go on ahead. We still have some business to attend to".
Celeste nodded before she gave Fred's hand a squeeze, "We'll see you later. Try not to get into too much trouble".
With that, Celeste and Cedric left the hospital wing. Fred and George were silent for a few moments before George turned to his twin, Fred was staring at the hand that Celeste had held with a dumbfounded expression. George smiled; Fred really had it. He had it bad.
INTO THE ABYSS
"It's nearly six," Cedric whispered beside her. The two stood in the entrance courtyard, the entire school was there - first years standing to the front and seventh years to the back. Being that it was October, the sky was already a dusky blue-back and the air was cold. Celeste had her scarf wrapped tightly around her neck and her fingers stuffed into the pockets of her winter coat.
"Maybe they're arriving at six o'clock in their time?" Celeste whispered back. Cedric smiled, it lit up his entire face.
"Why are we whispering?" He asked with a smile. Celeste giggled, feeling rather silly.
"You started it!" She said with an accusatory glare. And then, Dumbledore called out from the back row where he stood with the other teachers.
"Aha! Unless I am mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!"
Celeste frowned; she could not see anything. Had Dumbledore gone mad? There was no carriage, no broomsticks, so how were the French students arriving?
"Where?" Many students called out, confirming Celeste's own thoughts.
"There!" Another voice cried out, Celeste turned to see Loke standing not too far away from her, next to him another girl wearing a conical wizard hat that obscured her hair from view. However, Celeste could make out the long white boots which looked made from wool. As if sensing her staring, the girl turned and promptly turned pink at being recognised amongst the crowd.
"Aries!" Celeste gasped softly. The ram spirit muttered something which sounded like 'I'm sorry' before Loke draped his arm over her shoulders...
At that moment, something large, much larger than a broomstick or one hundred broomsticks appeared above the clouds. It hurtled across the sky, growing larger and larger as it came closer. Celeste heard Cedric's awe filled gasp from beside her as a giant carriage, pulled by beautiful, winged horses - pegasi- flew above the treetops of the Forbidden Forest. As the carriage neared the castle, Celeste could see how large each horse was, they were white and the size of the doscadon - large rock creatures which looked rather like a tyrannosaurus rex - which inhabited Tenrou.
The front row of first years stepped backwards as the carriage drew lower to the ground - then with an almighty crash that had Celeste jumping backwards and straight into Cedric's chest - the horses' hooves, larger than dinner plates hit the ground. A second later, the carriage too dropped to the ground on its wheels and horses tossed their heads back waving their magnificent sky-blue manes in the wind. All were silent as a long black heel stepped from the carriage, before the largest woman Celeste had ever seen stepped out almost immediately. She was beautiful with olive skin and liquid onyx eyes and a rather beaky nose which only complimented her features. Her inky black hair was cut into a short bob which accented her high cheekbones, and she was dressed head to toe in satin robes.
Dumbledore started to clap, and the students followed his lead as the giantess walked down towards the headmaster. Although tall himself, Dumbledore barely had to bend to kiss the giantess' hand.
"My dear Madam Maxime," He said with a beaming smile "Welcome to Hogwarts".
"Dumbly-dor" She purred in a deep voice "I 'ope we find you well?"
"Excellently, Madam" Dumbledore responded. The giantess, whom Celeste surmised was the headmistress of Beauxbatons if Fleur's letters were correct, flicked her glove hand carelessly in the air to signal for her students to follow.
Students dressed in pale blue robes stepped out from the carriage all in their late teens, a few of them were shivering from the cruel British weather, which was no surprise seeing as their robes were also made from expensive silk. Among the students, Celeste quickly spotted Fleur, she was among one of the most beautiful girls she had seen who could put even the likes of Mirajane to shame.
"Can you hear something?" Cedric asked. Celeste nodded; she could hear an odd eerie noise which sounded like one hundred people singing at once.
"The lake!" Lee yelled "Look at the lake!"
Celeste snapped her head over towards the lake, what looked to be a long pole emerged slowly from the water's surface which was then followed by a flag. A large whirlpool grew as the Celeste spotted the decking of a ship. Slowly, magnificently, the ship emerged from the water. It had a strange skeletal look about it as it gleamed in the moonlight. The sound of an anchor hitting the ground broke through the silence.
A tall, burly man with hair which looked like matted fur stepped off the ship, his hat which blended in with his hair looked to be made from some sort of creature's head. The man, like Madam Maxime, walked straight up to Dumbledore before a wide smile split his face.
"Dumbledore!" He called out heartily, his voice was thick with an Eastern European accent "How are you my good fellow?"
"Blooming! Thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore answered with an equally hearty grin.
"So, that's the Durmstrang headmaster?" Cedric said, he kept his voice low as the Durmstrang students stepped out of the ship. Unlike the Beauxbatons students, they were dressed for the weather in thick fur robes much like their headmaster. The students also looked a lot bigger too.
"They're a bit fierce looking, aren't they?" Celeste said with a whisper. Her eyes widened as a short, stocky boy led the Durmstrang students, Celeste recognised his face from the Quidditch programs at the World Cup.
"Is that Krum?" Cedric asked in shock. Celeste nodded. The short, stocky teenager was Viktor Krum, the seeker for the Bulgarian Quidditch team. He had a stern look on his face, one that caused many of the girls to swoon.
"I knew he was seventeen, but I had no idea that he went to Durmstrang," Celeste said.
"He seems popular," Cedric commented. Celeste nodded, Karkaroff, the Durmstrang headmaster, seemed positively delighted when Krum so much as breathed and the students followed behind him like loyal dogs. It made Celeste think of her brother, Crabbe and Goyle.
Dumbledore started to lead all the students inside, Celeste was glad to be out of the cold, they had been standing out there for ages and her fingers felt like ice.
"Here," Cedric said as he took a hold of her cold fingers. Celeste smiled as she felt Cedric's warm hands envelope her icy fingers.
"Thanks," She said gratefully. Cedric smiled at her and she felt her face heat up.
"Celeste!" Fleur cried out. Celeste smiled at the sight of her friend, she was much taller now and the young girl she had been was now replaced with a beautiful young woman. Several Beauxbatons girls stood behind Fleur and they smiled in greeting at Celeste. She withdrew her hands from Cedric's own and turned to greet the newcomers.
"Fleur! You look wonderful!" Celeste said. Fleur leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks. Cedric blushed beside her. Such a greeting was not common in Britain, many even shying away from a simple hug. Across the channel, showing affection to one's friends was common.
"As do oo, Cherie!" Fleur gushed. Celeste could feel her face heat up at the praise. Fleur was such a natural charmer and had the ability to turn all around her to mush.
"An' oo eez theez?" Fleur asked with a playful smirk. She slowly blinked, eyes staring at Cedric appreciatively as pale lashes fluttered in a flirtatious manner. Celeste was certain she heard many boys gasp in awe.
Cedric did not seem affected and merely smiled politely.
"Oh, Fleur this is, Cedric" Celeste responded.
"It's lovely to meet you," Cedric said. Fleur smiled as she offered Cedric her hand, Cedric ever-so-polite bent his head to kiss her on the knuckles which caused the girls standing behind Fleur to swoon.
"Oor boyfriend eez a charmer" Fleur said with a light and airy giggle. Celeste blushed.
"Fleur, he isn't-"
"We should go een, no?" Fleur said quickly. She gestured for the girls behind her to follow.
"We 'ave a lot of catching up to do, cherie '' Fleur started to steer Celeste away from Cedric and into the Great Hall, the Beauxbatons students smiled prettily at Cedric before following Celeste and Fleur.
INTO THE ABYSS
"Look at Malfoy, smarming up to Krum," Ron grumbled darkly. Harry glanced over to where the Durmstrang students were now sitting at the Slytherin table, Malfoy looked rather smug at having them there. Glancing past the Hufflepuff table, Harry could see that the Beauxbatons students were sitting with the Ravenclaws - maybe it was all the blue that attracted them?
"What is that?" Ron asked, a bowl of a dish which looked like some sort of shellfish appeared in front of them. Harry was not sure that he liked the look of it. Across from him the twins stared at the shellfish dish with equal amounts of distaste not before George - or was it Fred - tried shoving some into Lee Jordan's mouth.
"Bouillabaisse" Hermione answered.
"Bless you," Ron said. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"It's French. I had summer before last on holiday, it's very nice" Hermione told them.
"I'll take your word for it," Ron said as he helped himself to black pudding.
"Celeste is quite friendly with the Beauxbatons students, isn't she?" Hermione murmured as she took some bouillabaisse onto her own plate "That one there looks like her" Ron made a face at this.
"What! No!" Ron cried out "That is no normal girl. They don't make them like that at Hogwarts!" He spoke. Hermione grimaced as she was met with the sight of Ron's unfinished food, she wished that he would wait until he swallowed his food before talking.
"They make them OK at Hogwarts" Harry said without thinking, Cho Chang was sitting next to Celeste, only a few spaces from where the blonde from Beauxbatons was sitting. Cho smiled at something – the brunette she was always with – said and her dark eyes lit up in a way that made Harry feel so warm inside.
"They're not too bad at Hogwarts," Fred answered, beside him Angelina Johnson smiled prettily at him.
"When you've put your eyes back in," Said Hermione briskly, "you'll be able to see who's just arrived".
She was pointing to the staff table where the two remaining empty seats had now been filled by Ludo Bagman and Percy's boss, Mr. Crouch.
"What's Bagman doing here?" George asked sourly. He was still thinking about the money Bagman owed and from the look on Fred's face, he was too.
"They organized the Triwizard Tournament, didn't they?" Said Hermione "I'm sure that they'll want to see it start".
Not too long after, the plates disappeared, and Dumbledore stood. A light tension filled the hall as everyone waited for the impending excitement, Fred and George leaned in as they waited for Dumbledore to speak.
"The moment has come, for the Triwizard Tournament to begin!" Dumbledore said excitedly "All those who wish to enter, if they be of age, shall write their name on a piece of parchment and place it into the impartial selector... Goblet of Fire''.
"So, what?" Ron asked sceptically "That little Goblet will decide who is chosen for the tournament?"
"Yes, Ron" Hermione said tersely "The headmasters probably decided that this would be the most fair and unbiased way to decide".
"Aspiring champions will have twenty-four hours to place their name into the Goblet of Fire...to assure that no underage students will fall to temptation, I have placed an age line around the Goblet. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross the line".
"An age line!" Fred said, his eyes twinkling as they headed back to the entrance to the Great Hall, "That should be fooled by an aging potion won't it".
"All we need is to age ourselves by six months," George added.
"It's not going to work," Hermione said with haughtily "Besides no one under the age of seventeen would even stand a chance".
"Speak for yourself," George said shortly.
"It could be dangerous," Another voice piped up, this time it was Celeste, with Cho Chang beside her. Harry felt his face heat up at the sight of the dark-haired girl, she was beautiful.
"We're big boys, Cell, we can look after ourselves" Fred grinned. The blonde rolled her eyes.
"Well, I hope none of you will be stupid enough to try," Cho Chang said, her eyes glanced to Harry for a moment and the boy felt as if all the breath had been taken from his lungs. At that moment he did not care about his strange dreams or that Sirius was worried about him. Cho Chang had looked at him, she had noticed him!
"Come on, I have to show Fleur and the others around" Celeste said as she steered Cho away "Goodnight guys".
"Did you hear that!" Harry could hear Ron asking "That fit French girl- her name's Fleur and Celeste knows her. Do you think she'd be able to let me talk to her?"
"Why can't you just talk to her yourself?" Hermione asked incredulously.
"I wouldn't expect you to understand, Hermione," Ron said dismissively.
"Why not!" Hermione cried out. All the boys grimaced, Harry hoped that Ron would at least try to save face and keep his mouth shut.
"Because you're not like those girls Mione" Ron said with a shrug. Hermione huffed and stormed off.
"What did I say?" Ron asked in confusion.
INTO THE ABYSS
The next morning many students had already put their name into the Goblet of Fire. All the Durmstrang students had placed their own name in, Fleur and a few of her friends and then Angelina from Gryffindor. As Celeste arrived at the Great Hall, a few seventh years were gathered around the Goblet as they placed their names in.
Celeste had her muggle fairy tale book on her lap, idly unaware of the chatter around her.
"I hope it's someone from Ravenclaw," Cho said as they sat down at their table. Roger Davis was among the few students putting his name in.
"I thought you were going to stop reading at mealtimes?" Cho asked.
"I made no promises," Celeste said, she never glanced up from page causing Cho to roll her eyes.
"Zat eez teepical Celeste," Fleur said with an airy giggle. A couple of spaces down from them, Roger Davis sighed dreamily.
"Is that Diggory?" Marietta asked. The girls turned as Cedric stepped up to the Goblet, a few of his friends stood behind him as they cheered him on. Celeste watched as he put his name into the fire.
"He never told me he was going to enter" Celeste murmured. She thought back to her previous conversation with Cedric when they were both in the hospital wing, he was trying to tell her then wasn't he?
Well of course he was, you idiot! Celeste cursed herself for being so foolish, there Cedric had been trying to tell her. But still, it worried her seeing him enter.
I am glad that the chances of him being picked are rather slim, Celeste thought with a grateful smile. Most likely it would be a Gryffindor, she heard Angelina during DADA saying she wanted to enter, maybe it would be her?
At that moment Lee, Fred and George walked into the Hall with twinkles in their eye, Celeste just knew that look. They were up to something.
"Done it," Fred proclaimed. Celeste stood up and walked over towards them, hands on her hips as she glared at the boys.
"Done what?" Celeste inquired.
"Taken our aging potion, duh" George told her with a roll of his eyes. Celeste stuck out her tongue at him in response. "We only aged ourselves by six months"
"You really think this is going to work?" Celeste asked in disbelief. Surely, they could not be so foolish to think that they could outsmart Professor Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore would have thought of this," Hermione added. Fred, George, and Lee ignored them.
"Ready?" Fred asked, quivering with excitement "I'll go first" He fished out a ripped piece of parchment - on the back was his potions notes - and wrote, Fred Weasley - Hogwarts on it. He walked up to the edge of the age line and stood there as if preparing for a fifty-foot drop and jumped straight over. For a moment, Celeste thought it had worked - George seemed to think so too as he jumped right after Fred and both teenagers put their names into the Goblet. The fire roared as the names were accepted and the twins cheered. Suddenly there was a sizzling sound and both teenagers were thrown from the Goblet and to the floor. The hall erupted in laughter at the sight of the twins, their red hair now grey and their faces adorning long white beards.
"You said this would work!" George cried out.
"No, you did!" Fred countered before he launched himself at his twin. The laughter increased in tenfold as the twins rolled around on the floor.
"I would suggest that the two of you visit Madam Pomfrey, there is only space for one old, bearded wizard in this school" Dumbledore said with a chuckle. The twins sheepishly nodded before they left the hall, accompanied by Lee, all of them chortling with laughter. Celeste was glad that they were fine.
Hours later, the decorations in the castle changed to commemorate the Halloween festivities. The foreign students gaped in awe at the new decor, causing the Hogwarts students to beam in pride. As the feast came to an end, Dumbledore stood at the teachers table and silence filled the hall as they watched for the flames of the goblet to change.
"Any second now…" Lee Jordan whispered. The Goblet suddenly roared with life, the white-blue flames switching to flaming red, sparks began to fly as a charred piece of parchment was launched into the air and right into Dumbledore's waiting hands.
"The champion of Durmstrang is...Viktor Krum!"
A string of applause filled the hall, Karkaroff cheered loudly, glad that his star pupil had been chosen and over on the Slytherin table the Durmstrang students hollered and cheered with thundering voices. The clapping dies down as the Goblet roared with life once more, Dumbledore catching the charred parchment with a smile.
"The champion of Beauxbatons will be...Fleur Delacour!"
Celeste clapped loudly, Fleur, who was sitting next to her beamed with pride as she brushed her pale hair from her face.
"I deed not theenk I would be chozen!" Fleur gushed however she quickly sobered at the sight of two girls from her school who had now burst into tears at not being chosen. Fleur sheepishly stood and joined Viktor in the champions chamber, the crying girls still had not stopped.
The applause died down as the students eagerly waited for the announcement of the Hogwarts champion. Celeste knew that many Gryffindors and Slytherins had placed their name into the Goblet, Cedric had been the only Hufflepuff.
The Goblet roared once again; Dumbledore pulled the parchment out by the tip as the students anxiously waited.
"The Hogwarts champion...is Cedric Diggory!"
Every single Hufflepuff had stood and roared with life that no one had ever before seen. Even Celeste found herself happily cheering at the sight of Cedric's elated face, he stood with a smile as he walked to the champion's chamber.
"Excellent!" Cried Dumbledore "Now the three champions will…."
Everyone gasped as Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking as the Goblet of Fire roared with life one more time. Sparks were violently flying out of it. A long flame shot to the air and with it a last piece of parchment. Dumbledore seized it from the air, an expression of shock on his face as he stared at it for a few moments before he spoke-
"Harry Potter"
INTO THE ABYSS
Harry was swept off to join the other champions shortly after. Only Cedric looked happy to see him. They had all argued accusing him of unsightly things however it was not until Moody spoke in a grim, dark voice that all the occupants of the room were silenced.
"It could be someone putting Harry's name in, knowing he would have to compete and die trying."
"Harry's not doing anything!" Sirius appeared, flanked by Professor McGonagall and Miss Chandra, his social worker. Both adults looked irate and instantly joined Harry in the middle of the room. Suddenly, Harry felt much more at ease.
"You can't just barge in here Black and demand whatever you want!" Mr. Crouch snarled. Sirius scoffed, Miss Chandra placed a comforting hand on his arm before turning to Mr. Crouch, her handsome features now fierce.
"We are responsible for Harry's welfare so you bloody bet that we will demand what we want when it comes to him!" Miss Chandra barked.
Sirius smiled at this; Harry felt immense pride blossom through him. He was rather glad to have Sirius and Miss Chandra here for him.
"With all the arguing we haven't heard a word from him," Moody said, electric eye swivelling towards Harry "What say you, Harry? Do you want to enter the tournament?"
Harry paled as all sets of eyes turned to him at once.
"I wouldn't mind competing-"
"But theez leettle boy eez too young!" The French champion, Fleur Delacour shouted. Her blue eyes were wide and pleading as she turned to Madam Maxime. The giantess nodded but said nothing.
Harry felt annoyance well up inside him - little boy?
"The law states that once a champion is chosen, they must compete…" Mr. Crouch said, "unless Black you believe that you are above the law?" His tone hinted at a challenge and the way his lips curled up into a hint of a smirk indicated that he wanted one.
"Harry is underage," Sirius said through clenched teeth. His fists shook as he fought to control himself from launching his fist into Mr. Crouch's head "Unless you give your word that the moment, he feels overwhelmed he can drop out of the tournament then-".
"Well, that's preposterous-" Ludo Bagman started.
"It can be done!" Mr. Crouch declared. Bagman's eyes widened, he looked as if he had been betrayed.
"So, it has been decided," Said Dumbledore as he beamed at all the guests in the room despite the fierce tension "Harry Potter shall compete in the Triwizard Tournament with the promise of withdrawing should the situation fit."
Mr. Crouch smirked as Sirius, Fleur looked disgusted, whilst Viktor nodded. The only person who looked pleased was Cedric, who smiled at Harry.
"Looks like we'll be competing again huh?" Cedric said, a smile on his face. Harry nodded, he wished he could share Cedric's happiness, but he felt that this was the start of a whole lot of trouble.
INTO THE ABYSS
The students were dismissed not too long after, Celeste was charged with escorting the Beauxbatons students back to their guest quarters, among them many chartered away about how disgraceful it was of Hogwarts to have two champions. Not knowing that she could both understand and speak French, the students continued to slander her school and Celeste decided she had enough.
"I hope you enjoy your stay here," Celeste said sweetly. She took great pride in the way the students gasped at her, one boy with olive skin and dark brown hair reddened profusely.
"We did not mean offense" He said.
"Well about next time you don't offend your host" celeste spat. The students nodded before scurrying away.
Not much sooner later, Celeste headed back towards the Ravenclaw tower as she passed the entrance hall, she spotted a familiar man talking with Harry. As he turned Celeste instantly recognised the curled dark hair - it was Sirius!
He smiled upon spotting her and Celeste noticed a woman with caramel coloured skin stood next to him. She was very pretty with thick dark, brown hair which curled at the ends and light hazel eyes.
"Hey, cousin!" Sirius bellowed, a hearty smile on his face as he embraced his cousin. Celeste smiled at the contact; her family was not one for showing affection, so the hug was very much appreciated.
"Hello, Sirius and…?"
The woman blushed as she offered her hand to Celeste.
"Miss Chandra. Harry's social worker," She answered.
"Celeste," The blonde replied "Are you and Sirius..."
Miss Chandra released a sound which sounded like a cross between a goose honk and a mouse's squeak as she quickly waved her hands as if to forcibly dismiss such an idea.
"N-no..,It would be highly unprofessional of me to do so...besides um...Mr. Black and I are both very concerned about Harry's welfare which is the...um...the only reason why we are here together- I mean both here"
Celeste felt just as awkward as Miss Chandra looked after that and the two women were plunged into silence.
"Listen, Harry, if anything, I mean anything happens then floo me immediately"!
Harry nodded "Got it, Sirius" He replied.
Satisfied with this answer, Sirius nodded. He embraced Harry before he left with Miss Chandra, the two of them waving their goodbyes to the teenagers. Celeste watched as the two adults disappeared over the footbridge, thinking that they made a rather handsome couple.
"So, tell me," Celeste said quietly, She leaned in close and Harry could see that her storm grey eyes held flecks of blue. "How did you do it?"
"I didn't," Harry responded immediately. Celeste searched his emerald eyes but found no trace of dishonesty, she was well versed with liars and was certain that Harry at this moment was far from it. Stepping back from him, she smiled
"Well, someone did," Celeste murmured darkly. Harry watched as the blonde ran a hand through her hair, he had seen Fred do that on many an occasion and he had a passing thought that the redheads habits were rubbing off on the blonde. "Keep your head down. Loke will do what he can to protect you as will I".
Harry's eyes widened a fraction "...so you believe that I didn't put my name in the goblet of fire?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Celeste asked tentatively. Harry shrugged.
"Not many people do," Harry answered dejectedly.
Celeste placed her hands on his shoulders, this time Harry did not shirk away from the contact.
"You're one of the most honest people I know," Celeste told him "Besides, you've never given me a reason to distrust you yet," She said earnestly.
Harry smiled gratefully at that.
A/N: I wanted to hit myself over the head with my copy of The Goblet of Fire whilst writing Fleur's speech. I probably sounded like a bit of weirdo, talking to myself to try and get her accented English somewhat right xD
Also, I have just realised that this new rewrite has surpassed the amount of chapters the original has! Yay me!
Anyway stay tuned for the next chapter where Draco shows his support for Cedric, Celeste is subject to gossip and the first task begins.
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review!