If this part is a bit dry I can promise you that you'll LOVE the next one, hang in there we are getting to more Fred action gradually.
Massive thanks to guest for the review - I always adore your reviews you're the best! I'm also glad you've made the link between Montague and the twins pushing him into the vanishing cabinet ;) it may be a while away but it's definitely going to be related to Vicki in this story.
"Ah, here she is now. Barty, this is Victoria. One of Hogwarts' brightest students." Bagman announced loudly and Vicki realised he must have been talking about her to Crouch before she came to greet them.
"Hello Mr Crouch, it's a pleasure to meet you." Vicki said as she shook Crouch's hand. She met him at the World Cup when she sat at the Weasley's tent before the match but didn't expect him to remember her due to the frantic events that happened shortly after.
"Likewise." Crouch responded politely, a small smile on his face.
"How have you been Miss Hartwell, been keeping out of trouble?" Bagman asked Vicki, attempting to flirt discreetly without attracting the attention of Crouch.
"Always, Bagman. I'm a model student." Vicki responded, cocking up an eyebrow to play the part of someone who was sceptical of what Bagman was trying to say.
"Model is definitely correct, if you ever wanted to go down that path I could send a few owls, you've definitely got the looks." Bagman winked at her.
Vicki had to suppress a loud scoff. Growing up in the muggle community she knew all about men like him – and she wasn't surprised they existed in the magic community also. Predators – men who would use some sort of power to lure and then trap girls rather than attracting them through their own merits. Vicki thought he was just a creepy older guy but now she was even keener to help Fred and George get their money back from him.
Crouch who was also unimpressed with Bagman loudly cleared his throat. Bagman's grin faltered a little but it was still there.
"If we could head into the Great Hall now, it would be very much appreciated. I would love to sample some of the fine foods Dumbledore promised, it's always enlightening tasting new foods from different cultures." Crouch stated matter-of-factly, trying to remain neutral but his choice of words showing his annoyance towards his work colleague.
"Sure. Right this way." Vicki shrugged, showing apathy as she was also keen to return to her food.
Crouch walked ahead of Bagman remembering the way to the Great Hall vividly from his own Hogwarts days – which left Bagman and Vicki to walk slowly behind and chat without Crouch's interference – he clearly did not want to know.
"I'm staying for the whole weekend. The champions will be picked tomorrow, but that's all I can say, I don't want to spoil it," Bagman stated in an excited tone to Vicki "But I was hoping maybe you'd have some spare time to show me around?"
Vicki's instinct was to be visibly disgusted by how inappropriate and grotesque Bagman was behaving like, but then she was immediately filled with glee. She had just been handed the opportunity she was trying to work towards, and wouldn't have to spend any extra time digging for this information.
"I'd certainly love to – it's my job as prefect to make our guests feel welcome." Vicki beamed, hiding behind the façade of innocence Bagman was trying to create in front of Crouch, with Bagman not realising the whole thing was a plot created by Vicki and the Weasley twins.
"Great. Say, let's get together after lunch is served." Bagman proposed as they entered the Great Hall.
Vicki pouted as she looked around. All of the students were chattering away in excited tones and weren't paying attention to the guests who had just arrived which was good for her, but she could see dinner was now finishing up and only the grotesque leftovers were remaining.
"Sounds good. Come seek me out tomorrow." Vicki grinned towards Bagman, before quickly going back to her seat at the Ravenclaw table so she could use a spell to reheat her plate of food, as she knew this would be the only plate she would be able to enjoy.
Vicki did indeed enjoy her plate of food, and in the end she was thankful her time during the main course was cut short as she got to sample many different desserts, her best friend Stephanie did not have that luxury as she whined loudly she was too full.
After the plates were cleared when the students could eat no more, Dumbledore stood up. Vicki noticed that this was perhaps the only time she had watched every student in that hall pay attention before an important announcement from Dumbledore. Even Fred and George, who were well known to make loud remarks for the amusement of all the students were quiet, leaning forward as they watched Dumbledore in concentration.
After introducing Bagman and Crouch to the students (to which Vicki was unimpressed at the level of applause that was given to Bagman) Dumbledore began to explain the tournament in more detail. Dumbledore announced that Bagman, Crouch, Madame Maxine, Professor Karkaroff and himself would be the judges of the tournament. He explained that there would be three tasks throughout the rest of the school year. He then also finally announced a question that had been plaguing the students since the tournament was announced at the start of the school year – the way the champions would be chosen.
"The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire." Dumbledore announced as he unveiled the goblet with two taps of his wand – the top of the casket falling down to reveal the very underwhelming looking Goblet of Fire – plain looking except for the handsome flames dancing around at the top of it.
After placing the goblet on top of the casket for everyone to see he began to speak about the rules of the tournament. Each applicant were to write their names on a piece of parchment, with the goblet making its selection the following evening. The age limit was also final – Dumbledore would be personally drawing an age line around the casket. Finally he announced that all applications were final. Upon submitting the name, the prospective champion would have entered into a magically binding contract that states they are required to perform each task in the tournament to the best of their ability with no option of backing out.
Upon these announcements Dumbledore then bought the festivities to a close and sent the students to bed. Stephanie Fawcett jumped up and immediately exited the hall to beat the rush, saying she wanted an early night tonight. Vicki gave a gruff goodbye to the Beauxbatons students at her table, as she wanted to catch Fred and George before bed. Luckily for her – Roger didn't follow her, as he was giving directions out of the castle back onto the grounds to some of the Beauxbatons students, Fleur included.
There was a hold up at the exit of the Great Hall and Vicki used this opportunity to move horizontally, until she found herself in front of Fred, George and Lee.
"Hey, I need to speak to you guys about something." Vicki said to the twins, nodding her head towards Bagman at the front of the hall who was speaking to Dumbledore jovially.
"Sorry Lee, Miss Hartwell requests our presence. We'll meet you up at the dorms soon." George said to Lee as they walked through the entrance hall, in an attempt to dismiss Lee so they could talk in private.
Lee sent the trio an inquisitive look, but didn't argue as he bid them farewell and climbed the staircase to make his way back to the Gryffindor tower. Vicki pulled the twins into a corner so they would be out of the way for the students trudging back to their common rooms. Whilst she would normally be cautious of speaking about a covert plan in a public space, she knew it was safe. All the other students were all chattering in an excited manner about the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang visits and the upcoming tournament, no one paid attention to the trio in the corner.
"I'm meeting with Bagman after lunch. He said he wants me to show him around the school or whatever, clearly he's just doing something to get me alone. Creep." Vicki spat out, rolling her eyes at the memory of Bagman's advances.
Fred was incapable of speech as he tightened his knuckles to his sides. He would be disgusted if he learned any older male was trying to put a younger girl in a vulnerable situation but because it was Bagman his new enemy and Vicki the girl he yearned for, his anger was multiplied.
"Whoa, look Vicki, you don't need to do this if you don't want to. I don't want you to feel too uncomfortable, or be in danger." George spoke up, casting a quick sidewards glance towards his twin as he watched Fred nod – George also was starting to feel guilty for getting Vicki involved, as the gravity of the situation was starting to hit him now he knew Bagman was doing what he could to get Vicki alone.
"It's fine, I want to. You're both now friends so I want to help you out. But mostly I want Bagman to cough up because I hate him." Vicki smiled, an evil smile coming across her usual innocent, pretty face.
The twins and Vicki then quickly discussed an adequate plan. By the end of their scheming they were very satisfied with the result. Vicki would be able to lead Bagman to a fairly isolated area, but it wouldn't be too isolated and the twins would jump out and quickly confront Bagman, allowing Vicki to then make a quick getaway.
"Well we better go. We're staying up tonight to making an Ageing Potion with Lee to get over Dumbledore's Age Line." Fred bragged to Vicki, subtly puffing out his chest for added effect in his attempt to impress the girl.
Her eyes widened in shock. She had heard both twins at various points loudly state they would do what they could do to enter, even with the age restriction. She always assumed they were joking and didn't think they would actually do it. She was definitely impressed, but sceptical.
"I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I wouldn't be so sure an Ageing potion would work. Even though it's an Age Line I'm sure Dumbledore would have thought of underage students using Ageing Potions to get past it." Vicki hesitantly spoke up.
"Why not?" Both twins asked in unison, a sarcastic and quite cool undertone to their question, both unhappy with Vicki's scepticism of their plan.
"C'mon, he's the most knowledgeable about both white and dark magic – examples include his defeat of Grindelwald and the fact apparently he's the only person You-Know-Who is afraid of," Vicki intelligently explained, but began to explore other possibilities when she saw the unimpressed looks she was getting "But who knows how Dumbledore's mind works. Maybe this is a wildcard entry for underage students. Those who can conjure an adequate Ageing Potion in such a short amount of time are deemed knowledgeable and prepared enough to enter the tournament."
"That's right." Fred grinned widely, choosing to ignore Vicki's first comments and believe the end of what she were saying, it did sound like an unknown twist that Dumbledore could have subtly planted, and he was keen to find out whether it would be true.
Vicki bit her lip and sighed, she was still doubtful their plan would work but she still wanted to be supportive. Therefore she would give them a word of advice.
"If you only want to make the Ageing Potion make you a few months older, when you need to stir it clockwise at the beginning – give it ten swirls going anti-clockwise. It reduces the potency of the potion but doesn't spoil the potion's magic. The closer you aim to the age of seventeen the better chances you will get, it's just as easy to make yourself too old as it is to make yourself too young." Vicki stated to the twins using a gentle voice, wanting to give some sort of advice that would assist them.
"Thanks Vicki-" George said brightly, and his sentence was finished by Fred.
"We won't just make you proud – we'll prove you wrong." Fred stated, sending a wink towards his crush, making her grin.
"Please do. You three are now my favourites for Hogwarts champion." Vicki stated.
Vicki's words struck a chord with Fred. Even though she said it so casually it meant so much to him. Plenty of people would be entering this tournament, but he (alongside his twin and best friend) were the ones she was hoping would be chosen. He had no idea what to say at this revelation, but luckily George was the one who was capable of speech.
"Well if we have the official seal of approval from Vicki Hartwell, we'll be off." George said semi-sarcastically as he grabbed Fred's shoulder to start leading him away, but sent her a boyish smile to show he didn't mean to be too harsh.
No other words were exchanged between the twins and Vicki – Vicki only waved goodbye to which Fred returned enthusiastically before he turned around and began his trip upstairs to the seventh floor corridor which would lead him to Gryffindor Tower.
Vicki turned around herself and gasped as she came face to face with Dumbledore. She saw he had silently moved the casket from the Great Hall and the goblet with the dancing blue flames was in front of her.
It was only the two of them, all the other students had long left the area. Therefore his appearance was a surprise as she hadn't heard him approach at all.
"I do apologise for bothering you Victoria, but I must politely ask that you move so I may draw the Age Line." Dumbledore politely requested of Vicki.
Vicki grinned sheepishly and jumped out of the way. She almost made a comment out loud that she would be the only underage student to be within arm's reach of the goblet but thought it may be inappropriate to say and kept quiet.
She stood back to watch Dumbledore draw the age line and looked around as she heard footsteps approach and felt another person's presence. She saw Cedric stand beside her and she sent him a huge smile as they both watched Dumbledore's magic Age Line being created in silence.
When Dumbledore had finished drawing both Vicki and Cedric rushed over and offered to help up their elderly headmaster, who politely declined as he got to his feet with relative ease.
"You're both too kind." He chuckled as he walked away with no further words to say.
Vicki and Cedric were silent until Dumbledore was gone. It was only then when Cedric spoke up.
"Well, I'm going to test out this Age Line and this goblet." Cedric grinned, showing Vicki a piece of parchment that had "Cedric Diggory – Hogwarts" written very neatly on it.
Vicki didn't say anything but watched him step over the freshly drawn line and throw his name into the cup. They both waited in anticipation for something to happen but after a few moments the fire was still cackling and there was no indication of any change.
"Oh well, guess I'm officially entered." Cedric grinned towards Vicki, very excited he had now applied.
He was caught off guard by a tackled hug from his dear friend as she was overcome with excitement and proud feelings for someone who was now one of her closest friends.
"I'm so proud of you! You'll get it, I can't think of anyone else at Hogwarts the goblet would pick." Vicki gushed towards Cedric.
She felt a little guilty as a few moments before she informed Fred and George they were her favourites to win. It was still true – they certainly were if they managed to be chosen underage. But if she had to bet she would put her money on Cedric being chosen. Even if Fred and George manage to get over the Age Line and enter they aren't guaranteed to be chosen. Cedric held a lot of merit and seemed best prepared for the possible tasks.
"Yeah well, I'm just lucky you're underage and not running, no one from Hogwarts would stand a chance against the intelligent but brave Vicki Hartwell." Cedric responded, deciding to accept compliment modestly but send an honest one back.
"I don't think I would be brave enough to enter even if I was seventeen. Anyway, I guess I better go to bed. I have things I need to do tomorrow." Vicki stated as she let out a fake loud yawn, wanting to go to bed to prepare for Bagman tomorrow but not sound rude to be departing from Cedric so suddenly.
"Alright. Want me to walk you to Ravenclaw tower to make sure you're safe?" Cedric asked her.
Vicki smiled. Cedric was such a gentleman, he was probably the nicest person she knew. He would do anything for a friend. She really hoped he was made champion (behind Fred, George or Lee) he really did deserve it.
"I'll be okay. Thank you, though." Vicki responded, giving Cedric a quick hug goodbye as she went up the staircase to lead herself to the fifth floor, whilst Cedric made his way past the kitchens to the Hufflepuff common room.
When Vicki got back to Ravenclaw tower she noticed the common room was unusually empty, usually after a big event it was crowded as all the students would get together to chat in an excited manner. It seemed everyone else wanted an early night too.
She went up to her dormitory and saw the other girls getting ready for bed. She quickly changed into her pyjamas and was about to doze off when she heard Stephanie call out to her from the bed next to her.
"Hey Vicki, say we want to make an Ageing Potion for next Hogmeade visit to trick Madam Rosemerta into serving us, got any tips?" Stephanie asked her.
In an annoyed growl Vicki gave her best friend the same tips she gave Fred and George a little earlier. Once Stephanie was satisfied she had been given all the tips Vicki had to offer she let Vicki drift off to sleep.
The next morning Vicki awoke to a completely empty dorm. Even Stephanie who always slept in was not in her bed, so Vicki quickly got dressed and put on some quick makeup and headed down to breakfast.
It was the earliest she had ever seen the Great Hall jam-packed. Vicki could barely fit at the Ravenclaw table so she grabbed two bits of toast and stood in the Entrance Hall, joining the small crowd that were watching the Goblet of Fire with interest. She of course had inspected the goblet itself last night, but the excitement surrounding this goblet was drawing her in. The Durmstrang students were just finishing putting their names in when she came out to the Entrance Hall, so she stood around eagerly hoping to see who from Hogwarts would enter their names.
There was some laughing and cheering from the staircase and Vicki looked up to see Fred, George and Lee rushing down, big grins on their faces. Vicki held out her hand as they rushed past to let them high five her as they ran past, but she then quickly followed them as they approached Dumbledore's Age Line.
Both the twins and Lee exchanged some words with their youngest brother as well as his friends Harry and Hermione before taking the plunge. Fred went first, mucking around with the line by pretending to dive before he leaped over – George hot on his tail.
The entire Entrance Hall was silent as they all watched the twins successfully get past the Age Line that Dumbledore had drawn. Vicki was incapable of speech, she was in disbelief that it had actually worked.
This was short-lived as moments later a loud crackling sound boomed throughout the Entrance Hall. Fred and George were ejected from the circle by an invisible force – reminding Vicki of cartoons where someone is removed forcefully from a place and comically thrown out as far as possible. Fred and George hit the floor with a crash and Vicki ran over automatically, wanting to check her friends were okay.
She jumped back in fright when two long beards appeared on their faces, forcing the twins to look down and see what Vicki was frightened of. The Entrance Hall rung out with laughter and Vicki held herself back, not wanting to offend her friends. She offered both of her hands to the two boys who eagerly accepted one each. Once they got to their feet they joined in with the laughter and this was when Vicki knew it was safe to giggle.
"I did warn you. I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours." Dumbledore said sounding amused as he entered the Entrance Hall, smiling at his students' mischievous way of attempting to defy his Age Line, rather than being cross with them.
A huge grin spread across Vicki's face. Dumbledore had stated Stephanie had tried to get across that Age Line – that was news to Vicki. It now made sense why Steph kept Vicki awake last night quizzing her about conjuring a quality Ageing Potion.
Vicki decided to go to the Hospital Wing with the twins and Lee. She wanted to go see Steph as payback for forcing her to stay awake for selfish gains.
