I'm on spring break so I see no reason not to inundate you guys with chapters. You'll probably hear from me again in 3 or 4 days and maybe one more time before work and school start back up. Is it too much to ask for some reviews you guys?

Champion Selection

Halloween, 1994
Sixth Year

This was it! Today was the day! The names of the three champions would be drawn from the Goblet tonight after the Feast.

The whole school was buzzing about it. Even Leili was excited, despite herself. Though that wasn't the only reason she was excited today: Oliver Wood had asked her out on a date! She was still internally squealing about it and every now and again when she thought of it, a grin sprang to her face.

Like it did now.

Jo noticed and smiled, rolling her eyes. She nudged Leili with her shoulder, "Stop smiling," she joked.

Leilani grinned harder, but this time it was at Jo instead of her own thoughts.

Unbeknownst to them and their roommates, a small group of house elves were setting up the dormitory to look like a bomb of roses had exploded over Leili's bed. By the time the elves were done, not a hint of her Grandmother's french rose quilt showed through the blanket of petals and stems.

After the Feast, Dumbledore clapped for the attention of the combined schools. The blue flames turned ruby red, eliciting excited murmurs from the students.

"And now the moment you've all been waiting for! The selection of the Triwizard Tournament Champions."

All watched with bated breath as Dumbledore dimmed the lights, the room was so silent all anyone could hear was the crackling of the red flames in the large wooden chalice.

With a distinct "Fwoomf!" the fire spat out a paper containing the first name.

"The Durmstrang champion: Viktor Krum!"

The students of Durmstrang erupted into applause as Viktor stood and enthusiastically made his way to the center where he shook Dumbledore's hand and left the hall.

The fire "Fwoomf!-ed" again.

"The champion of Beauxbatons: Fleur Delacour!"

Fleur stood and proudly walked to the center to shake Dumbledore's hand and follow Krum out of the hall while Beauxbatons Academy broke into applause.

Another "Fwoomf!", another paper, "Hogwarts Champion: Cedric Diggory!"

Cedric laughed quietly as Hogwarts flew into cheers. Standing, he followed the pattern and shook Dumbledore's hand before following the path the other two champions had taken out.

"Excellent! We now have our three champions; but in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory..." with a turn and a slight flourish, Dumbledore pointed to the canvas covered object Mr. Crouch had just placed front and center.

As the headmaster declared, "The Triwizard cup!", the canvas flew off, revealing a spectacular trophy of blue glass and silver dragons.

All applauded this magnificent cup and the feat it represented, save for Snape, whose eyes were fixed on the goblet behind Dumbledore. His brow was slightly furrowed and Dumbledore turned to see ruby red flames where there should have been none.

The goblet spit out one final name, which fluttered down within reach of Dumbledore who caught it and read it in stunned disbelief.

"Harry Potter," he whispered.

Then louder, this time a question, "Harry Potter?"

Harry tried to sink back into his seat, tried to become invisible.

"Harry, best if you join us up here please," Dumbledore said and suddenly Harry was walking towards him.

Dumbledore handed Harry the slip of paper with his name on it and gently pushed him towards the other teachers.

"Well." Jo said. "That wasn't s'posed to happen."

"Very profound, Jo," Leili retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Jo grinned at her with a bat of her eyelashes. It was quickly apparent that Harry would be competing, much to Professor McGonagall's worry and dismay.

As November the 24th neared, the girls tried to think of ways to help the youngest champion through the unknown first task; finally they settled on Liquid Luck.

Luckily, by that time, Leili already had a cauldron stewing. Less luckily, they had exactly two weeks until the first task and Leili had been trying and failing to make this potion since their third year. There was no room for error; she had to get this potion right.

…They were screwed.