Chapter thirteen:
The Champions
It was now the end of October, as a month passed and there was going to be the announcement of the two schools arriving to the castle. Victoria had been looking forward to seeing the other schools while at the same time, she had looked forward to the Yule ball. As the evening dawned and classes were done for the day, the students and staff entered the great hall to be seated though some were in discussion about seeing the arrival of an abraxan flown carriage and a underwater ship arriving to the castle. Victoria sat down in her chair at the professors table while Snape had as well along with the rest of the professors before Barty Crouch appeared beside the podium. Dumbledore then walked over and approached the podium, having the owl seal spread it's wings, causing the stir of the students to calm down. "The Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete. Now let me be clear. lf chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when l say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. In which is why, the age is set for seventeen as I had informed before a month ago, though I know it disappointed some of you." Dumbledore explained, laying his eyes on the Weasley twins, as they mostly complained about not being able to compete.
Dumbledore then turned his attention away from the twins and onto the doors of the great hall. "For now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress, Madame Maxime." Dumbledore announced before the doors flew open. The witches from the Beauxbatons in France came in with a dance in their baby blue dresses and matching hats before finishing at the front by the podium with their tall headmaster, Madam Maxine, arriving at the end. "Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their high master, lgor Karkaroff." Dumbledore announced as well. As the male students of Durmstrang marched down the aisle with their staffs in hand, music performing, Snape gave off a rather displeased look at the presence of Igor Karkaroff, who was a former death eater that he knew. Victoria watched on as they blew the flame at the end of the song, finding herself entertained by the performance in which Snape noticed briefly, though Victoria didn't know about Igor Karkaroff.
Madam Maxine and Igor Karkaroff took a seat at the table that had been extended for a few more seats while the students at the other two schools joined the tables with the Hogwarts students, Slytherin and Gryffindor, that were extended as well. "Professor Dumbly-dorr, my horses have traveled a long way. They will need attending to." Madam Maxine stated as she sat down. Victoria watched as she sat down on her side of the table, noticing her tall stature and Igor Karkaroff sat on the other end where Snape was. "Don't worry, Madame Maxime. Our gamekeeper, Hagrid, is more than capable of seeing to them." Dumbledore explained, motioning towards Hagrid before making his way back to the podium. Madam Maxine turned to a smiling Hagrid to talk. "But you know, Monsieur Hagrid, they drink only single-malt whiskey." Madame Maxine stated. Hagrid wasn't paying attention to where his fork was when he set it down to stab what he was aiming for his plate but got Flitwick instead as he listened to Maxine. "You idiot!" Flitwick exclaimed, taking the fork out in irritation. Victoria watched the whole scene and covered her mouth at the aftermath. "Your attention, please! It is now our turn to give you our welcome, here at Hogwarts. Let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!" Dumbledore stated, cueing the music and having the lyrics float above the hall for everyone to see. This would definitely be a first for Victoria, she has never heard the school song but half the students didn't look too thrilled to be singing amongst their peers.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
The students sang along with some of the staff, though of course some students refused to sing it. Victoria read the lyrics above them and found the song to be quite interesting while she kept her lips pursed, obviously amused as she leaned over to look at Snape, whom seemed unamused by the song but also having to sit near Igor Karkaroff. The song ended and Dumbledore went to address the hall of students once again, having Victoria lean back to look at the students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming the Beauxbatons Academy and Durmstrang to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be bothcomfortable and enjoyable this year." Dumbledore stated as he had received warm smiles in return from the two guest schools. The goblet of fire was revealed once more, having the flame swirl up from the goblet. "The Goblet of Fire. Anyone wishing to submit themselves to the tournament need only write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it into the flame before this hour on Halloween, which will be tomorrow night in which the goblet will choose three names to compete, who it has judged most worthy to represent their school. Do not make the decision so lightly. If chosen, there's no turning back on this tournament." Dumbledore explained as he watched the students listen on before going on to explain further.
"The goblet will be put in the entrance hall for those of the age of seventeen who wish to enter the tournament, can enter. To be certain that no underage student will be tempted to enter, I will be drawing an age line around the Goblet of Fire. No one under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line, I can ensure that so no foolish attempts will be considered." Dumbledore added sternly. Then Dumbledore had excused the students off for bed once they would finish their dinner from the feast. As promised, the goblet was placed into the entrance hall and the staff began to leave the podium. Victoria found herself standing in front of the goblet, curiously watching the blue flame from the goblet when Snape approached, piercing his eyes in warning towards Karkaroff as he passed by before placing them onto Victoria. "Not thinking of participating, if possible, are you?" Snape asked in a light teasing tone, clearly humoring himself at the remark. Victoria formed a crooked smile onto her lips at Snape's words before she turned her green eyes away from the blue flame and onto the dark haired potions master. "If I could, what would you do if I did?" Victoria replied curiously, teasing lightly back. Snape kept his composure aside from a smirk that was placed into his lips before letting it fall a moment later. "I would be hopeful that the goblet would, perhaps, consider other competitors. Not that I question your ability, but as for your safety..." Snape explained.
Victoria rose an eyebrow at the explanation she was given, amused but she knew she would never enter such a tournament, even if qualified - this was merely a test to see how Snape felt about her. "I see. Well, it should be interesting tomorrow who will be chosen to compete. I would wish them the best of luck." Victoria stated before edging away from the goblet. Snape watched her walk out of the room and followed to do the same. Victoria had organized her students papers and did some correcting before leaving her classroom to patrol the corridor when she passed by the entrance hall, curious to see the blue flame again when she spotted Moody admiring the goblet before noticing her presence. "Admiring the goblet as well?" Victoria asked curiously. Moody immediately went to leave the hall awkwardly, limping as he passed by her mumbling. "Yes, it's quite exotic." Moody mumbled before leaving the hall. Victoria figured he was just grumpy from their last meeting which he seemed harassing to her that Snape had interrupted.
While the next day she taught the fourth years and throughout the previous night and during the following day, students began putting their names into the goblet of fire. Everyone was talking about who would be chosen to compete while some underage students were still disappointed on not being able to put their name into the goblet. Victoria was glad to know that no one under the age of seventeen we're able to put their name into the goblet of fire, she didn't have to worry about Harry entering the dangerous tournament. As the day turned into the evening, the students gathered into the great hall along with the visiting students and the staff. The goblet has been lit up once more with the blue flame and Dumbledore left the podium to approach the goblet, turning up his voice to speak in the middle of the hall. "Now the moment you've all been waiting for...the selecton of the champions." Dumbledore announced. Barty Crouch had been in the great hall as well, watching and listening on to the decisions the goblet have made. Victoria watched as the rest of the room had when the first piece of paper flew out of the goblet, followed with a tiny flame that extinguished once Dumbledore touched the paper. "The Champion from Durmstrang is...Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore read off the paper, the Durmstrang students applauded with some Hogwarts students.
The next champion paper was shot out of the goblet and Dumbledore caught the piece of paper. "The champion for Beauxbatons...is Fleur Delacour." Dumbledore announced additionally. The students from Beauxbatons applauded and Hogwarts did as well. It was now the last and final contestant to be drawn for Hogwarts. "The Hogwarts champion is...Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore announced upon getting the piece of paper. Cedric had as well been applauded and the three champions had went to the back of the hall to gather together. Victoria was pleased to see who the Hogwarts champion was and that the tournament would be an interesting event to watch but then there was a flame still active in the goblet that went to shoot out another piece of paper, catching the attention of everyone, especially the staff. Victoria curiously watched on with the rest of the staff when Dumbledore caught the extra piece of paper, watching the look of shock write across the headmaster's face. "Harry Potter. Harry Potter?" Dumbledore stated in bewilderment. Victoria's eyes widened at the name announced, looking over towards her nephew, having both shock and worry fall on her. "No. No." Hagrid said from the professors table. Harry looked just as shocked as the rest of the great Hall, causing Victoria to want to know why this was happening. "Harry Potter!" Dumbledore shouted once more, furious yet awaiting Harry's acknowledgement.
Harry had stood up and Hermione pushed him to go up to the front. Harry scanned the room at his stunned classmates and professors, locking his worried eyes with his aunt Victoria for a moment before heading up to Dumbledore and taking the piece of paper, looking at it with his name written on it. Dumbledore had called for all the headmasters to meet in his office along with McGonagall, Harry and the three other champions. Victoria got up from the table at the podium, making her way down the steps and exiting the hall to follow. Snape watched as she left but wasn't able to catch her in time before getting up himself to leave while the rest of the students continued to eat. Victoria made her way down the corridor and to the gargoyle that would lead to Dumbledore's office but before she could speak the password, Snape had turned the corner and caused her to stop. "Victoria...where exactly are you going?" Snape questioned as he approached her swiftly. Victoria looked over to Snape with her right hand on her hip. "To Dumbledore, obviously." Victoria pointed out, turning back to the gargoyle and raising her left hand to begin using the password. Snape quirked a brow at the response before marching over to lower her arm with his hand. "I advise to not interrupt...it is, however, between headmasters and the selected students." Snape warned. Victoria felt goosebumps when Snape touched her arm but cleared her mind in order to focus on the current situation. "But my nephew, Harry-" Victoria began before Snape cut her off. "-will be fine...may I suggest, returning to the great hall?" Snape stated, his expression remained placid.
Snape knew what was taking place in the office and would surely find out later but for now, he didn't want there being any interruptions, knowing that Dumbledore would need to figure out some resolution to the situation that had unfolded - he knew things that Victoria didn't. Victoria paused for a moment as her green eyes hovered onto her left arm with Snape's hand still placed onto her arm. "By all means necessary..." Victoria replied professionally. Snape took a few seconds to notice his hand was still placed on Victoria and immediately removed it in a slight awkward manner. Victoria formed a light, crooked smirk on her lips before turning around to walk back to the great hall while Snape followed a second after, making sure she entered the great hall before he made his way into Dumbledore's office in the midst of the brief conversation between Igor Karkaroff and Madame Maxine disputing the second Hogwarts champion. "No one is at fault but Potter, Karkaroff." Snape butted in, causing looks from the headmasters as Snape pierced a stare at Harry. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break the rules of the tournament, he has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here..." Snape added, having suspicion towards Harry. "Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore replied, turning to face Harry after gathering his thoughts about the event. "Harry, did you place your name into the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked curiously. Harry turned his focus on to Dumbledore from Snape when asked the question.
"No." Harry replied honestly. Snape had a sly look of disbelief as he rolled his eyes at Harry's answer. 'Typical answer.' Snape thought. Dumbledore sighed. "Did you get an older student to place your name into the goblet?" Dumbledore questioned further. Snape and the other headmasters listened on. "No." Harry replied once again honestly. Both madam Maxine and Igor Karkaroff were annoyed with the replies they had gotten, thinking he was lying and still managed to enter the tournament underage. McGonagall had shot a glare towards Snape for his accusations towards Harry, baffled at the situation that Dumbledore would ever make a mistake with the age line. "The rules are absolute. It's a firm, binding magical contract." Barty Crouch clarified, noting that there was nothing that could be done. Crouch went on to explain the instructions for the tournament, noting how the first task would test their daring and how they will not be told what it was before he left the office. The other two headmasters left as well before the champions were instructed to get back to their houses, leaving Snape and McGonagall there to discuss the situation with Dumbledore. "Potter cannot compete, Albus." McGonagall pointed out. Snape stepped one step forward before parting his lips to speak.
"Headmaster, l, too, find it difficult to believe this mere coincidence. However, if we are to truly discover the meaning of these events...perhaps we should, for the time being, let them unfold." Snape suggested, both he and Dumbledore knew it had something to do with Voldemort in which couldn't be discussed with any other. "What? Do nothing? Offer him up as bait? Potter is a boy, not a piece of meat. This tournament is dangerous, he could be killed-" McGonagall refuted. Dumbledore stared at his pensive while deep in thought. "l agree...with Severus." Dumbledore replied. McGonagall was perplexed and went to leave. "I would appreciate neither of you informing Victoria on what occurred. She will find out naturally, for the time being, we do not need a rise in concern from the rest of the staff." Dumbledore pointed out. Snape noted it while McGonagall exited the office. Victoria had ended up leaving the feast an hour after returning to the great hall and went back to her living quarters for the night. She was obviously confused about the turn of events and had worried about her nephew despite having to maintain a professional demeanor due to being a professor. She kept telling herself that Dumbledore would handle it and would know the best to do. Stepping into her office to gather a stack of essays to correct, she spotted none other than Harry, who was out of bed after hours. "Harry...is everything okay? I've been worried since I heard the news." Victoria asked.
Harry stepped into the office and leaned slightly against the desk. "Not exactly. Besides my friends being mad at me and having no choice but to compete, yeah I suppose I'm okay." Harry replied, a little sarcastic. Victoria took in a breath before setting the papers back onto the desk. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm not quite fond of you competing either, I worry, but I know you didn't put your name in the goblet. I didn't get notified any further. I'm sure Professor Dumbledore has it all under control." Victoria stated, trying to remain positive. Harry paused for a moment, giving a brief nod. "Yeah, of course, Dumbledore knows what he's doing." Harry noted. Victoria didn't know much that entailed with the Triwizard tournament but from what she had been told, it could be dangerous. "I wish I knew what I could do to help. If I was able, I would take you out of it as soon as possible. You can always come to me to vent or talk about it if you would like to, Harry." Victoria we explained, she felt helpless in the situation he was in but it was out of her hands. "I understand, truly and I know I can always talk to you. Thank you, Aunt Tori." Harry replied, understanding that with the strictly binding of the rules regarding the tournament, not even Dumbledore could override them at the moment. Harry then excused himself to go back to bed while Victoria took the papers back to her living quarters, correcting the papers while she had thought about when the first task would begin and of course the Yule ball. The following day, there had been students wearing pins on their uniforms that were in support of Cedric Diggory which turned to bash Harry, making Victoria uncomfortable to see them. "As class begins, I ask for any pins and additional clips to be removed from your uniforms please. We don't need any kind of distraction during class." Victoria instructed her students, watching them remove the pins in disappointment. Harry later thanked her. Soon, the first task would be at hand and the champions will be competing.