12. The Champions
A/N: For those of you wondering about the look on Minerva's face when Karkaroff and Albus were talking, she doesn't like him at all. Not only because he's a Death Eater, but also because he willingly turned in his fellow Death Eaters to avoid capture. So sorry it took me so long. I really struggled with writing this chapter. Thanks to Filodea, Dani, and Thestral Dea for their help and encouragement.
Minerva was reviewing lesson plans for the upcoming weeks when a timid knock on her door brought her head up. "Come in!"
"Professor?" This time, Lynne was accompanied by Natalie McDonald and Annie Sanders as she entered the office.
Minerva watched the three girls file in with a slight feeling of dread. "Yes, Miss Jones, Miss McDonald, Miss Sanders?"
"We think there's something wrong with Tracey, Professor," Annie answered when neither of the other two would answer.
Minerva immediately set her quill down. "What exactly is the matter with Miss Cooper?"
"Well, she seemed to act a lot like my father the morning after he's drunk a lot of firewhiskey," Natalie volunteered quietly.
The Head of Gryffindor closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. "Thank you, Ladies, for telling me. Now, off with you and enjoy the day. I shall see to Miss Cooper." Waiting until the door had closed behind the three girls, Minerva threw some Floo powder onto the fire and stated clearly, "Albus Dumbledore's office."
"My dear, what brings you here?" Albus' voice greeted her as she emerged from his fireplace.
She looked around, making sure they were alone, before turning to him. "Tracey is sick."
* * *
"Tracey? Lass?" Tracey moaned in response. "Albus, should we take her to the Infirmary?"
Tracey moaned again. "Mother?"
"I'm here, Lass," Minerva's replied, brushing a lock of auburn hair from the girl's brow.
Albus placed his hand on Minerva's shoulder and she looked up at him. "Mother?"
Minerva blushed. "I forgot to mention that I had told her about our engagement."
"It's quite all right, my dear." He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before leaning forward slightly. "Tracey?"
She moaned a third time. "Father?"
"I think she needs to go to the Infirmary, Albus," Minerva told him, answering her own question and looking worried. "Her forehead is hot to the touch."
He nodded and reached out to shake his daughter's shoulder. "Come on, Tracey. Time to go."
"Go where?" she asked on a moan.
Minerva stood and pulled the covers off her. "To the Infirmary."
"Carry me?" Tracey asked plaintively, blue eyes barely open at all.
Minerva glanced at Albus, who merely smiled. Sighing, Minerva leaned forward and carefully eased the girl into her arms. Tracey rested her head on Minerva's shoulder with a sigh. "Let's go, Albus."
"Of course, my dear." Albus smiled and preceded her from the dormitory.
* * *
When Tracey awoke, her headache was gone. Opening her eyes, she smiled when she saw the feline curled up at the foot of her bed. "Hello, Jestana. How long have you been there?" She looked around. "Wait, where am I?"
Jestana leapt from the bed to the floor and trotted out of the room. Narrowing her eyes, Tracey took a closer look at her surroundings. "Is this a hospital?"
"Indeed, it is, Tracey," her father's voice made Tracey jump.
Looking towards the door, Tracey grinned. Albus and Minerva stood there, side by side. If she hadn't been looking so closely, she would have missed the fact that they were holding hands. "Hello, Professors."
"Hello, Miss Cooper," Minerva replied as she and Albus entered the room. "How are you feeling?"
Tracey smiled up at them. "Much better."
"That's good news," Albus smiled down at his daughter and she was almost sure she saw relief appear in his blue eyes for a moment.
Tracey glanced around the hospital wing. "How long have I been in here?"
"Most of the morning," Minerva informed the girl.
At that moment, a witch Tracey recognized as the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, bustled into the hospital wing. Spotting Albus and Minerva, she approached, and then smiled when she saw that Tracey was sitting up in bed. "Ah, Miss Cooper. It's good to see you awake."
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," Tracey replied, smiling up at the mediwitch.
Nodding absently, Madam Pomfrey cast a charm of some sort on the girl. When she finished, Minerva was the one to ask, "Well?"
"She's fine now, Minerva," Madam Pomfrey told the Deputy Headmistress. "Nothing plenty of rest won't cure."
Tracey thought for a moment. "Wait, what about the announcement of the champions? Has it already taken place?"
"No, Tracey." Albus shook his head. "That is this evening."
Tracey turned pleading eyes on the school nurse. "May I attend the feast tonight, Madam Pomfrey? Please? I promise to take it easy the rest of the weekend."
* * *
After much pleading on Tracey's part, and intervention from Albus and Minerva, Madam Pomfrey had consented to let Tracey attend the Feast, provided she return to the hospital wing right after. Tracey had eagerly agreed and was now glad she had. All the food and smells were making her stomach queasy for some reason and she barely managed a few mouthfuls before pushing her plate away. She didn't even eat any dessert, though it was usually her favorite part of the meal. At long last, though, her father pulled out his wand and waved it in a sweeping arc, causing all the candles except the ones inside the floating pumpkins to go out, leaving everyone in semidarkness. Everyone waited tensely for the Goblet of Fire to reveal whom the champions were. After a short wait, the flames turned red and a charred slip of parchment fluttered out of the goblet, making everyone gasp. Albus caught it and held it nearer the flames, blue-white once more, so he could read it. "The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum."
The Bulgarian rose from his seat at the Slytherin table to a storm of applause and cheering. As the boy made his way to the door indicated by Albus, Karkaroff boomed, "Bravo, Viktor! Knew you had it in you!"
"Y'know, I still don't understand Quidditch," Tracey whispered to Lynne.
"Shh!" Lynne whispered back, her eyes riveted on the goblet.
Shrugging, Tracey looked up at the head table in time to see the blue-white flames turn red once more, another slip of parchment appearing. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"
A tall, beautiful girl with a long sheet of silvery blonde hair that almost reached her waist rose from the Ravenclaw table and went the same direction Viktor Krum had gone. "Wow, she's gorgeous."
"Oh, stop goggling, Dennis," Tracey retorted, annoyed. "Beauty's only skin- deep, y'know."
"She's still one of the best-looking girls I've ever seen," he shot back, just as Lynne shushed them.
This time, the silence that fell on the Great Hall was stiff with excitement and anticipation. The Hogwarts champion would be announced next. The flames turned red a third time and Albus caught a third slip of parchment. "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!"
The Hufflepuff table exploded with cheering, screaming and stamping, as a handsome sixth-year boy stood up, a broad smile on his face, and followed the previous two champions. Tracey noticed that some of her fellow Gryffindors weren't applauding and asked, "Why don't some people like him?"
"He beat Gryffindor at Quidditch last year," Colin explained, leaning around his brother.
"Oh." Still puzzled, Tracey waited for the applause to die down. She was beginning to develop a headache.
"Excellent!" The applause had faded enough for Albus to be heard. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beaubaxtons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real--" When her father stopped speaking, Tracey looked up at the high table and gasped. The fire in the goblet had turned red a fourth time. A fourth slip of parchment was borne aloft and almost automatically, Albus reached out and plucked the parchment from the air. He stared at the name written on the parchment for a long moment before clearing his throat and saying it: "Harry Potter."
Along with everyone else, Tracey turned to look at The Boy Who Lived. Judging by the expression on his face, he was as stunned as everyone else. A buzz began to fill the Hall and Tracey looked up at the high table to see what her father was going to do. Minerva had risen to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Karkaroff to whisper urgently into his ear. "Wow! Harry got his name in the Goblet."
"Dennis, I don't think Harry put his name in," Tracey whispered back.
Before he could reply, Albus nodded to Minerva and straightened up. "Harry Potter! Harry! Up here, if you please!" Once Harry disappeared through the door, Albus turned to the students. "Well, I hope you enjoyed the Feast. The date of the First Task will be announced shortly. Off to bed with you all."
"I hope they let Harry compete!" Dennis exclaimed as everyone got to their feet to leave the Great Hall, talking excitedly amongst themselves.
Remembering the looks on her father's and soon-to-be stepmother's faces, Tracey wondered if Harry competing was a bad idea. Saying good-bye to her friends at the bottom of the fifth-floor staircase, Tracey headed to the hospital wing, thinking only of getting some sleep.
A/N: For those of you wondering about the look on Minerva's face when Karkaroff and Albus were talking, she doesn't like him at all. Not only because he's a Death Eater, but also because he willingly turned in his fellow Death Eaters to avoid capture. So sorry it took me so long. I really struggled with writing this chapter. Thanks to Filodea, Dani, and Thestral Dea for their help and encouragement.
Minerva was reviewing lesson plans for the upcoming weeks when a timid knock on her door brought her head up. "Come in!"
"Professor?" This time, Lynne was accompanied by Natalie McDonald and Annie Sanders as she entered the office.
Minerva watched the three girls file in with a slight feeling of dread. "Yes, Miss Jones, Miss McDonald, Miss Sanders?"
"We think there's something wrong with Tracey, Professor," Annie answered when neither of the other two would answer.
Minerva immediately set her quill down. "What exactly is the matter with Miss Cooper?"
"Well, she seemed to act a lot like my father the morning after he's drunk a lot of firewhiskey," Natalie volunteered quietly.
The Head of Gryffindor closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. "Thank you, Ladies, for telling me. Now, off with you and enjoy the day. I shall see to Miss Cooper." Waiting until the door had closed behind the three girls, Minerva threw some Floo powder onto the fire and stated clearly, "Albus Dumbledore's office."
"My dear, what brings you here?" Albus' voice greeted her as she emerged from his fireplace.
She looked around, making sure they were alone, before turning to him. "Tracey is sick."
* * *
"Tracey? Lass?" Tracey moaned in response. "Albus, should we take her to the Infirmary?"
Tracey moaned again. "Mother?"
"I'm here, Lass," Minerva's replied, brushing a lock of auburn hair from the girl's brow.
Albus placed his hand on Minerva's shoulder and she looked up at him. "Mother?"
Minerva blushed. "I forgot to mention that I had told her about our engagement."
"It's quite all right, my dear." He squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before leaning forward slightly. "Tracey?"
She moaned a third time. "Father?"
"I think she needs to go to the Infirmary, Albus," Minerva told him, answering her own question and looking worried. "Her forehead is hot to the touch."
He nodded and reached out to shake his daughter's shoulder. "Come on, Tracey. Time to go."
"Go where?" she asked on a moan.
Minerva stood and pulled the covers off her. "To the Infirmary."
"Carry me?" Tracey asked plaintively, blue eyes barely open at all.
Minerva glanced at Albus, who merely smiled. Sighing, Minerva leaned forward and carefully eased the girl into her arms. Tracey rested her head on Minerva's shoulder with a sigh. "Let's go, Albus."
"Of course, my dear." Albus smiled and preceded her from the dormitory.
* * *
When Tracey awoke, her headache was gone. Opening her eyes, she smiled when she saw the feline curled up at the foot of her bed. "Hello, Jestana. How long have you been there?" She looked around. "Wait, where am I?"
Jestana leapt from the bed to the floor and trotted out of the room. Narrowing her eyes, Tracey took a closer look at her surroundings. "Is this a hospital?"
"Indeed, it is, Tracey," her father's voice made Tracey jump.
Looking towards the door, Tracey grinned. Albus and Minerva stood there, side by side. If she hadn't been looking so closely, she would have missed the fact that they were holding hands. "Hello, Professors."
"Hello, Miss Cooper," Minerva replied as she and Albus entered the room. "How are you feeling?"
Tracey smiled up at them. "Much better."
"That's good news," Albus smiled down at his daughter and she was almost sure she saw relief appear in his blue eyes for a moment.
Tracey glanced around the hospital wing. "How long have I been in here?"
"Most of the morning," Minerva informed the girl.
At that moment, a witch Tracey recognized as the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, bustled into the hospital wing. Spotting Albus and Minerva, she approached, and then smiled when she saw that Tracey was sitting up in bed. "Ah, Miss Cooper. It's good to see you awake."
"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," Tracey replied, smiling up at the mediwitch.
Nodding absently, Madam Pomfrey cast a charm of some sort on the girl. When she finished, Minerva was the one to ask, "Well?"
"She's fine now, Minerva," Madam Pomfrey told the Deputy Headmistress. "Nothing plenty of rest won't cure."
Tracey thought for a moment. "Wait, what about the announcement of the champions? Has it already taken place?"
"No, Tracey." Albus shook his head. "That is this evening."
Tracey turned pleading eyes on the school nurse. "May I attend the feast tonight, Madam Pomfrey? Please? I promise to take it easy the rest of the weekend."
* * *
After much pleading on Tracey's part, and intervention from Albus and Minerva, Madam Pomfrey had consented to let Tracey attend the Feast, provided she return to the hospital wing right after. Tracey had eagerly agreed and was now glad she had. All the food and smells were making her stomach queasy for some reason and she barely managed a few mouthfuls before pushing her plate away. She didn't even eat any dessert, though it was usually her favorite part of the meal. At long last, though, her father pulled out his wand and waved it in a sweeping arc, causing all the candles except the ones inside the floating pumpkins to go out, leaving everyone in semidarkness. Everyone waited tensely for the Goblet of Fire to reveal whom the champions were. After a short wait, the flames turned red and a charred slip of parchment fluttered out of the goblet, making everyone gasp. Albus caught it and held it nearer the flames, blue-white once more, so he could read it. "The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum."
The Bulgarian rose from his seat at the Slytherin table to a storm of applause and cheering. As the boy made his way to the door indicated by Albus, Karkaroff boomed, "Bravo, Viktor! Knew you had it in you!"
"Y'know, I still don't understand Quidditch," Tracey whispered to Lynne.
"Shh!" Lynne whispered back, her eyes riveted on the goblet.
Shrugging, Tracey looked up at the head table in time to see the blue-white flames turn red once more, another slip of parchment appearing. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!"
A tall, beautiful girl with a long sheet of silvery blonde hair that almost reached her waist rose from the Ravenclaw table and went the same direction Viktor Krum had gone. "Wow, she's gorgeous."
"Oh, stop goggling, Dennis," Tracey retorted, annoyed. "Beauty's only skin- deep, y'know."
"She's still one of the best-looking girls I've ever seen," he shot back, just as Lynne shushed them.
This time, the silence that fell on the Great Hall was stiff with excitement and anticipation. The Hogwarts champion would be announced next. The flames turned red a third time and Albus caught a third slip of parchment. "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!"
The Hufflepuff table exploded with cheering, screaming and stamping, as a handsome sixth-year boy stood up, a broad smile on his face, and followed the previous two champions. Tracey noticed that some of her fellow Gryffindors weren't applauding and asked, "Why don't some people like him?"
"He beat Gryffindor at Quidditch last year," Colin explained, leaning around his brother.
"Oh." Still puzzled, Tracey waited for the applause to die down. She was beginning to develop a headache.
"Excellent!" The applause had faded enough for Albus to be heard. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beaubaxtons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real--" When her father stopped speaking, Tracey looked up at the high table and gasped. The fire in the goblet had turned red a fourth time. A fourth slip of parchment was borne aloft and almost automatically, Albus reached out and plucked the parchment from the air. He stared at the name written on the parchment for a long moment before clearing his throat and saying it: "Harry Potter."
Along with everyone else, Tracey turned to look at The Boy Who Lived. Judging by the expression on his face, he was as stunned as everyone else. A buzz began to fill the Hall and Tracey looked up at the high table to see what her father was going to do. Minerva had risen to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Karkaroff to whisper urgently into his ear. "Wow! Harry got his name in the Goblet."
"Dennis, I don't think Harry put his name in," Tracey whispered back.
Before he could reply, Albus nodded to Minerva and straightened up. "Harry Potter! Harry! Up here, if you please!" Once Harry disappeared through the door, Albus turned to the students. "Well, I hope you enjoyed the Feast. The date of the First Task will be announced shortly. Off to bed with you all."
"I hope they let Harry compete!" Dennis exclaimed as everyone got to their feet to leave the Great Hall, talking excitedly amongst themselves.
Remembering the looks on her father's and soon-to-be stepmother's faces, Tracey wondered if Harry competing was a bad idea. Saying good-bye to her friends at the bottom of the fifth-floor staircase, Tracey headed to the hospital wing, thinking only of getting some sleep.