I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to narniagirl19, panneler-san, Allen Pitt, animeotaku88, Glitched Sanity, AnonymousMSQ, mlkduds009, Spontaneous. Combustion99, meandthedoctor, Loonynamelass, Forest Grrl, amazingtofu, ThatGirlWhoLikesBooks, Lu-oka-na-mi, carmeleissle5cullen, gerardsgrl14, Bloodsave, horror-zombie-gem, saturdayfanbast, and The Demon of Wrath.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 41:

The Champions

Finally, Halloween arrived, the day on which the champions would be chosen. Ariella was excited, but nervous at the same time. She had a horrible feeling that something wasn't going to turn out quite right tonight. As she made her way down to dinner, she tried not to think about that, instead choosing to think about just how much her new friendship with Theodore Nott had changed her life.

Because of this, Draco had become colder and a bit more distant towards her. He still demanded a lot, but was careful when Nott was around. Theo, in turn, tried his best to ignore his classmate, and his annoyance at Draco when he ordered her to do something just to get her away from him. But what pleased Ariella the most was that he hadn't judged her because of her 'servant status', and for this, she was very grateful. He treated her like she mattered. Though a majority of the other Slytherins were siding with Draco, she no longer cared. Because she finally had a friend. And for now, one friend was enough.

As she entered the Great Hall, she noticed that The Goblet of Fire had been moved; it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teachers' table. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the tables cleared and the headmaster of Hogwarts stood.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "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 indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness.

The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting… A few people kept checking their watches…

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it - the whole room gasped, and Ariella shielded her arms against the bright, hot light.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

"A real shocker," Ariella said, her voice low and sarcastic to Theodore, who just rolled his eyes, obviously bored. Viktor raised from his spot at their table a few seats down, and proceded to make his way through the assigned door.

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!"

And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

"That's good, he a decent person. Not stuck up and arrogant like some people I know." Ariella said, to which her friend responded with a chuckle.

Dumbledore started to speak again, but about half-way through, Ariella stopped listening, and was staring at the Goblet of Fire. Another moment later, everyone in the room was staring at it as well. Because the fire had turned red again, and out had flown another charred sheet of parchment. She groaned as Dumbledore read the name,

"Harry Potter".

"Told you Potter would be in this tournament," Nott said, smirking.

"Dammit, why do you always have to be right?" she said in response, glancing nervously at the fourth champion. She found him staring uncomprehendinglyat the headmaster, rooted to his seat. As Dumbledore called his name again, she watched Hermione Granger give him a little push, and then as he walked numbly past the professors. Personally, she felt horrible for him, and wished there was something he could do to help, but she knew that there wasn't.

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora