Chapter 38: The Champions
I rocketed out of my room as I pulled on my robe, realizing that I had slept the entire day away! It was dinner time and the champions would be chosen right after, I wanted to see who was picked, that way I could reassure Sirius about Harry being safe and we would be able to talk about my family without anymore worries. I found my spot at the teachers table and joined them, filling my plate and beginning to eat. Most of the students weren't even eating, they were watching Dumbledore and waiting for him to finish so that we could get on with the Goblet.
After a while, the plates cleared and Dumbledore got to his feet and the room went silent. "Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber." he pointed to where he was talking about and continued, "where they will be receiving their first instructions." he waved his wand and along the whole room, the candles went out, save for the ones inside the pumpkins. The room began almost completely dark.
Everyone was watching the Goblet and waiting for the flames to change. Finally after a full minute they did, flashing red and sending sparks flying as the spat the paper out. Dumbledore plucked it from the air and read out the name, "The champion from Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum." the cheers and applause was almost deafening as the student's excitement rocked the room. Krum stood up and made his way passed us and into the chamber. The goblet flashed again, sending another paper out, drawing the attention back as Dumbledore grabbed it.
"The champion from Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!" he announced and more cheers came as the blond girl rose and walked down the hall into the chamber as well. I noticed the rest of the Beauxbaton students were racked with disappointment and more. It wasn't long before all eyes were resting on the Goblet again, knowing the final Champion would be Hogwarts. The goblet flashed and the final piece of paper floated down into Dumbledore's fingers. "The Hogwarts Champion is…Cedric Diggory!" the hufflepuff table roared with cheers as Cedric stood up, grinning broadly and made his way to the chamber.
"Excellent!" Dumbledore said when the noise died down, "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons 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-" He stopped suddenly, all eyes went to the goblet, which was bright red again. I felt a dread in my stomach, knowing as I watched the paper float down who's name was going to be on it. There was no way possible! This couldn't be happening! Dumbledore took the slip and read it over and over before saying the name I knew it said. My eyes locked onto Harry as Dumbldore spoke, "Harry Potter."
The hall all turned to him and he looked just as confused and stunned as the rest of us. When he didn't move, Dumbledore asked him to come up and Hermione had to give him a push to get him moving. He walked up and Dumbledore told him to go into the chamber, he met my eyes as he passed me, I knew he could see the fear and shock in my eyes as well. I grabbed his hand before he could enter, he shook his head at me, answering my silent question. I released him and went to go to Dumbledore but he told all the prefects and teacher that weren't head of houses to get the students back to their common rooms.
I waited by the chamber door, there was no way in hell that I was leaving without knowing why and how the fuck this happened. Finally the hall was cleared and we went through the door, even Snape just gave me a look but said nothing. I went to Harry's side as soon as I saw him and gave the other champions a look to not speak. The heads of the other schools began to demand that Dumbledore explain how Hogwarts can have two champions, one being underage and how it wasn't fair. I rolled my eyes and went to speak to Harry when Dumbledore asked, calmly, "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?"
"No." "Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" he asked, and Harry said no again. There were outburst of the adults saying that he was lying and that Dumbledore had messed up the Age line. "Oh shut up all of you!" I shouted, feeling so frustrated at their remarks. "Do you truly believe that a great wizard like Dumbledore would mess up a Simple Age Line! This is clearly someone trying to get Harry into trouble or killed! He can't compete, his name is void since there has only ever been THREE champions!" I felt the rage bubbling up, I wanted to know who would do this to Harry, he had suffered so much in his life, now this.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament." Mr. Crouch said and I scoffed, about to speak when Bagman spoke instead. "Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front." they began to demand re-entering names until two champions for each school, but the Goblet had apparently gone out after Harry's name. The Durmstrang's headmaster was saying they may leave right now and wouldn't be back, until Moody's voice appeared.
"Binding contract, eh, Dumbledore? Convenient, huh?" they began to speak and Moody seemed to agree with me about someone putting in Harry's name in hopes of him getting killed. I placed my hand on Harry's shoulder, racking my brain for a way out of this, a way to protect him. Moody and Karkaroff got into a heated back and front before finally Dumbledore spoke, "How this situation arose, we do not know. It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…"
The large woman went to speak, but lost her words when Dumbledore shot her down politely. Then he continued, telling them to tell the instructions to the four champions. "The First task is designed to test your daring, so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of unknown is an important quality in a wizard…very important. The first task will take place on November 24th, in front of the other students and judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end of years tests."
Once they were finished, Dumbledore was offering nightcaps for the adults, before turning to us. "Phoebe, why don't you make sure our Hogwarts champions get to their common rooms. I nodded and herded them both out into the great hall again. They began to speak and I listened, still trying to figure out how the heck this happened. "We're playing against each other again!…So tell me…How did you get your name in?" "I didn't." Harry said, "I didn't put it in. I was telling the truth." I could tell the guy didn't believe Harry and veered off to his common room as I waited for Harry to move again.
We walked in silence for a while, before Harry asked if I believed him. "Yes, I do believe you. I know you aren't one to go for glory and frame. You already have so much." I nudged his shoulder and he smiled slightly, but it faded as we neared the door. We stopped before getting to it and I faced him. "I know you didn't do this. But you do have to compete now. I will be there to assist and support you. No matter the rules, I will do what I have to, to protect you. I am your God-mother after all. Your parents wanted me to protect you and make sure you grew up into a man…I'm going to make sure that happens." I bid him goodnight and went to my room, my head swirling with how much this world isn't fair and how was I going to tell Sirius now…