The Alexander Chronicles Year 4: The Return of Darkness

by the22nddoctor

Many things have changed in Alexander s life, his mother is in Azkaban and he have learned that he is the son of Sirius Black. This year Alex has to battle both his inner darkness that is growing stronger inside him, and the outside darkness that is returning stronger than ever, not even Hogwarts is safe. Beside that, he have to deal with being a teenager. Have been rewritten.

15. Chapter 15: The unforeseen champion

The Alexander Chronicles Year 4: The Return of Darkness.

Chapter 15: The Unforeseen Champion

"Wow." Hannah whispered. "It really is Krum, I can´t believe that he is still in school."

Alex didn´t reply as he along with the rest of the Hogwarts students were walking back in to castle, it seemed that every conversation was about the Bulgarian seeker.

"He is one of the best seekers out there-." Hannah said again, "don´t you agree Sue?"

"Yeah," Susan said, "he was pretty good."

"I wonder I if can have his autograph." Hannah suddenly said, and began searching her pockets. "Wait I don´t have anything to write on or with. Do you guys have some – what about you Alexander?"

"Huh?" Alex turned and looked back at Hannah.

"I asked if you had anything to write with."

"No sorry all my school stuff is upstairs."

"What about you Sue?"

Susan shocked her head; "as Alex said: our school stuff is upstairs,"

"Damn," Hannah hissed. "Hmm I might be able to catch him later on."

"Maybe. I mean he will stay for the year, so if you ask nicely." Alex said before he parted from the Huffepuff girls, walked over to the Gryffindor table, and sat down. Alex ended up sitting near Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron. The latter made sure to sit at the side that was facing the doorway, apparently he was eager to made the Durmstrang students to sit at the Gryffindor table, since they hadn´t decided where they should sit yet.

The students from Beauxbatons had chosen seats at the Ravenclaw table. They were looking around the Great Hall with glum expressions on their faces. Three of them were still clutching scarves and shawls around their heads.

"It's not that cold." Hermione said defensively. "Why didn't they bring cloaks?"

"Because it isn´t a part of their uniform." Alex explained. "Beauxbatons is located somewhere in France somewhere near the Pyrenees mountains. So they are used to a much warmer climate then us."

"Over here! Come and sit over here!" Ron hissed suddenly. "Over here! Hermione, budge up make some space. That goes to you to Bonteri"

"What are you on about?" Hermione asked, while Alex rolled his eyes instead, not moving a centimetre.

"Aw it too late!" Ron whined.

Viktor Krum and his fellow Durmstrang students had settled themselves at the Slytherin table. Alex could see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looking very smug about this. As he watched, Malfoy bent forward to speak to Krum. But not soon after Krum had stuck up a conversation with Blaise instead.

"Just look at how those snakes are trying to get on Krum´s good side" said Ron scathingly, making Alex growled in anno yance. "I bet Krum can see right through them, though… bet he gets people fawning over him all the time…"

"Where d'you reckon the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are going to sleep?" Harry asked thoughtfully, ending Ron´s ranting.

"We could offer Krum a space in our dormitory…I wouldn't mind giving him my bed, I could kip on a camp bed," Ron said at once.

Alex, Hermione, and Harry snorted.

"Well rather the Durmstrangs then the Beauxbatons lot. At least they look a lot happier." Harry said. And he was right; the Durmstrang students were pulling off their heavy furs and looking up at the starry black ceiling with expressions of interest; a couple of them were picking up the golden plates and goblets and examining them, apparently impressed.

Up at the staff table, Filch, the caretaker, was adding chairs. He was wearing his mouldy old tailcoat in honour of the occasion. Alex was surprised to see that he added four chairs, two on either side of Dumbledore's, well he was surprised that it was four instead of two. "Why four chairs." He said softly

It seemed that only Harry had heard him. "Yeah wonder who else is coming."

When all the students had entered the Hall and settled down at their House tables, the staff entered, filing up to the top table and taking their seats. Last in line were Professor Dumbledore, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime. When their headmistress appeared, the pupils from Beauxbatons leapt to their feet. A few of the Hogwarts students laughed. The Beauxbatons party appeared quite unembarrassed, however, and did not resume their seats until Madame Maxime had sat down on Dumbledore's left-hand side. Dumbledore remained standing, and a silence fell over the Great Hall.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, ghosts and - most particularly - guests," said Dumbledore, beaming around at the foreign students. "I have great pleasure in welcoming you all to Hogwarts. I hope and trust that your stay here will be both comfortable and enjoyable."

One of the Beauxbatons girls still clutching a muffler around her head gave what was unmistakably a derisive laugh.

"No one's making you stay!" Hermione whispered, bristling at her, making Alex smile a bit.

"The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast," said Dumbledore. "I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!"

He sat down, but Alex still looked at the head table and saw Karkaroff lean forward and engaging Dumbledore in conversation.

The plates in front of them filled with food as usual. The house-elves in the kitchen seemed to have pulled out all the stops; there was a greater variety of dishes in front of them than Alex had ever seen, including several that were definitely foreign.

"What's that?" said Ron, pointing at a large dish of some sort of shellfish stew that stood beside a large steak-and-kidney pudding.

"Bouillabaisse," Hermione said.

"Bless you," said Ron, as Alex laughed.

"It's French," said Hermione, "I had it on holiday summer before last. It's very nice."

"I'll take your word for it," said Ron, helping himself to black pudding.

"Fine then there is more to me then." Alex said as he helped himself to some Bouillabaisse.

The Great Hall seemed somehow much more crowded than usual, even though there were barely twenty additional students there; perhaps it was because their differently coloured uniforms stood out so clearly against the black of the Hogwarts' robes. Now that they had removed their furs, the Durmstrang students were revealed to be wearing robes of a deep blood red.

Hagrid sidled into the Hall through a door behind the staff table twenty minutes after the start of the feast. He slid into his seat at the end and waved at Harry, Ron, Alex, and Hermione with a very heavily bandaged hand.

"Skrewts doing all right, Hagrid?" Harry called.

"Thrivin'," Hagrid called back happily.

"Yeah, I'll just bet they are," Alex heard Ron comment. "Looks like they've finally found a food they like, doesn't it? Hagrid's fingers."

At that moment, a voice behind them said, "Excuse me, are you wanting ze bouillabaisse?"

It was the girl from Beauxbatons, who had laughed during Dumbledore's speech. She had finally removed her muffler, revealing how pretty she was. A long sheet of silvery-blonde hair fell almost to her waist. She had large, deep blue eyes, and very white, even teeth.

Ron went purple. He stared up at her, opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out except a faint gurgling noise. Alex felt himself blush, as the girl looked him in the eyes. "Or do you want to have some more of it."

"No, you have it," Ron blurted out, a little too loudly, answering for Alex. Hermione gave an irritated sign as she pushed the Bouillabaisse towards the girl.

The girl however didn´t grab the dish however, instead she was still looking at Alex waiting for him to answer, since he was the only one had taken some of the Bouillabaisse. " 'ave you finished wiz it?"

"No, I just wanted to have the one portion. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to taste the other dishes."

"´ave you tried the filled pancakes, ze are good."

Alex nodded and smiled at the girl, who picked up the dish and carried it carefully off to the Ravenclaw table. Ron were still goggling at the girl as though he had never seen one before. Alex couldn't help but stare as well.

Harry started to laugh. The sound seemed to jog the two back to their senses.

"She's a veela!" Ron said hoarsely to Harry.

Alex blinked she couldn't be. He had just found her pretty. After all the veeelas at the world cup hadn´t affected him. He wasn´t drooling over the French girl as Ron was. So maybe it was just because he found her pretty.

"Of course she isn't!" said Hermione tartly. "I don't see anyone else gaping at her like a couple of idiots!"

But that wasn´t true, because as the girl crossed the Hall, many boys' heads turned, and some of them seemed to have become temporarily speechless, just like Ron, other were simply looking at her.

"I'm telling you, that's not a normal girl!" Ron said, leaning sideways so he could keep a clear view of her. "They don't make them like that at Hogwarts!"

"Excuse me?" Ron cowered under the glares of Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati were giving him.

"They make them okay at Hogwarts," said Harry without thinking.

Alex who´s eyes had fallen on a certain girl at the Slytherin table nodded in agreement, "Yeah the sure do." He said wishfully looking at Daphne was talking and laughing with Tracey.

"When you've both put your eyes back in," Hermione said briskly, "you'll be able to see who's just arrived."

She was pointing up at the staff table. The two remaining empty seats had just been filled. Ludo Bagman was now sitting on Professor Karkaroff's other side, while Mr. Crouch, Percy's boss, was next to Madame Maxime.

"What are they doing here?" said Harry in surprise.

"Properly they are the ones that organized the Triwizard Tournament." Alex said as he helped himself to some of the food the girl had recommended. . "I mean it would fit with their department. So they must be here to start this thing off." He added before taking a bite of the pancakes quickly agreeing that they where good.

When the second course arrived, they noticed a number of unfamiliar desserts too. Ron examined an odd sort of pale blancmange closely, then moved it carefully a few inches to his right, so that it would be clearly visible from the Ravenclaw table. The girl who looked like a veela appeared to have eaten enough, however, and did not come over to get it. Alex however wasn´t looking at the French girl, instead he kept sneaking glances at Daphne. She was still talking with Tracey while eating her desert. She looked cute and pretty as always.

Once the golden plates had been wiped clean, Dumbledore stood up again. A pleasant sort of tension seemed to fill the Hall now. Alex felt a slight thrill of excitement, wondering what was coming. Several seats down from him, Fred and George were leaning forward, staring at Dumbledore with great concentration.

"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling around at the sea of upturned faces. "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket —"

"The what?" Harry muttered.

Ron shrugged.

"- just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation" - there was a smattering of polite applause - "and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

There was a much louder round of applause for Bagman than for Crouch, perhaps because of his fame as a Beater, or simply because he looked so much more likable. He acknowledged it with a jovial wave of his hand. Bartemius Crouch did not smile or wave when his name was announced. Remembering him in his neat suit at the Quidditch World Cup, Alex thought he looked strange in wizard's robes. His toothbrush moustache and severe parting looked very odd next to Dumbledore's long white hair and beard.

"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the last few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champions' efforts."

At the mention of the word "champions," the attentiveness of the listening students seemed to sharpen.

Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed their sudden stillness, he smiled at them all before continuing, "The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."

Filch, who had been lurking unnoticed in a far corner of the Hall, now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old. A murmur of excited interest rose from the watching students; Dennis Creevey actually stood on his chair to see it properly, but, being so tiny, his head hardly rose above anyone else's.

"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman," said Dumbledore as Filch placed the chest carefully on the table before him, "and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess - their daring - their powers of deduction - and, of course, their ability to cope with danger."

At this last word, the Hall was filled with a silence so absolute that nobody seemed to be breathing.

"As you know, three champions compete in the tournament," Dumbledore went on calmly, "one from each of the participating schools. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."

Dumbledore now took out his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open. Dumbledore reached inside it and pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup. It would have been entirely unremarkable had it not been full to the brim with dancing blue-white flames. Dumbledore closed the casket and placed the goblet carefully on top of it, where it would be clearly visible to everyone in the Hall.

"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet," said Dumbledore. "Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Then tomorrow night, at Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete."

"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation," said Dumbledore, "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line."

Alex could see the disappointment on Fred and George´s faces, but they also looked demined to fool the age line.

"Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, that you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all."

"An Age Line!" Fred Weasley said, his eyes glinting, as they all made their way across the Hall to the doors into the entrance hall. "Well, that should be fooled by an Aging Potion, shouldn't it? And once your name's in that goblet, you're laughing - it can't tell whether you're seventeen or not!"

"But I don't think anyone under seventeen will stand a chance," Hermione said, "we just haven't learned enough…"

"Speak for yourself," George said shortly. "You'll try and get in, won't you, Harry or what about you Alex?"

Alex briefly thought about what Dumbledore had said about that nobody under seventeen should try to enter, because the task might end up to be too dangerous. Then the image of him standing as the winner of the Tournament popped in to his mind, but also the image of Daphne in his arms. If that happened then it would be worth it, even if Dumbledore would be angry that he had managed to get past the Age Line.

"It would be fun." Alex grinned, "So maybe, yeah I would do it."

Next to him was Harry who shook his head. "No thanks, I've had enough danger without voluntarily walking into it."

Alex smiled, "yeah you are right about that."

"Where is he?" Ron said out of nowhere, he wasn't listening to a word of this conversation.

"Where is who?" Harry asked.

"Krum where is he?" Ron said. "Dumbledore didn't say where the Durmstrang people are sleeping, did he?"

But this query was answered almost instantly; they were level with the Slytherin table now, and Karkaroff had just bustled up to his students.

"Back to the ship, then," he was saying. "Viktor, how are you feeling? Did you eat enough? Should I send for some mulled wine from the kitchens?"

Alex saw Krum shake his head as he pulled his furs back on. "Professor, I vood like some vine," said one of the other Durmstrang boys hopefully.

"I wasn't offering it to you, Poliakoff," snapped Karkaroff, his warm paternal air vanishing in an instant. "I notice you have dribbled food all down the front of your robes again, disgusting boy -"

Karkaroff turned and led his students toward the doors, reaching them at exactly the same moment as Alex, Harry and the others. Harry stopped to let him walk through first.

"Thank you," said Karkaroff carelessly, glancing at him. Then Karkaroff froze. He turned his head back to Harry and stared at him as though he couldn't believe his eyes. Behind their headmaster, the students from Durmstrang came to a halt too. Karkaroff's eyes moved slowly up Harry's face and fixed upon his scar. "It is you!"

The Durmstrang students were staring curiously at the Harry too. Out of the corner of their eyes, Alex saw comprehension dawn on a few of their faces. The boy with food all down his front nudged the girl next to him and pointed openly at Harry's forehead.

"Yeah, that's Harry Potter," said Moody´s growling voice from behind them, but Alex didn't hear anymore then that as he heard a different familiar voice.

"Well well isn´t it my little Alexander?"

Alex turned around not believing his ears. There standing behind him was Silan Ambrosius, his cousin. He was wearing the classic Durmstrang uniform; otherwise, his cousin looked the same. Silan had the classic Ambrosius brown hair, and cold brown eyes. He was tall and had a smug smile on his face.

Alex felt all blood being drained from his face. And unknown to him a look of fear and fury came over his face, as the past memories of his cousin popped in to his mind. He had to swallow a few time before saying. "S-Silan?"

"Yeah it is me, surprised? Little cousin."

"N-no." Alex said and flinched as Silan touched his shoulder. Alex was a bit confused why Silan hadn´t been begun mocking him directly yet. "H-how are you?"

"Oh I am just fine." Silan smiled, but it wasn´t a kind smile "and you are too?"

"Y-yeah why shouldn't I be?"

Silan smirked as his eyes fell on something behind Alex. "You know it is impolite, not to introduce me to your friends. Are you that Alexander? Are you impolite?

Alex gulped as he saw it was Hermione there was standing behind him. "Alex who is this?" she asked.

"I am Silan Ambrosius, Alexander´s awesome cousin, isn´t that right Xander." Silan said as he hugged Alex with one arm. Alex flinched again.

"Cousin?"

"Yeah my mum and his father are siblings." Alex said while trying to push Silan away, not wanting to be anywhere near him.

"I am almost offended Xander, I had expected to be well known here at Hogwarts."

"If I had told people about then they would hate you as much as I do." Alex thought, but tried to keep a happy face. "Oh you know it just never came up."

"I don´t know Alex, you could have told that we would meet your cousin." Hermione said smiling at Silan.

"Yeah not ashamed of you family are you." Silan asked as he punched Alex in the arm. To untrained eye, it seemed like a friendly tap, but Silan always knew how to make it hurt the most.

Hermione smiled at the both at them. "I suppose you want to catch up." She said before leaving Alex alone with Silan.

"Well well little Alex." Silan said walking closer to Alex who gulped. "So you haven´t even mentioned me once. I am very disappointed."

Alex´s eyes flickered, "I h-have mentioned you."

"Really little cousin." Silan growled. "You know I don´t like liars."

Alex gulped again. "I h-have told uh-"Alex´s eyes flickered and pulled Neville out of nowhere. "Neville met my cousin, the one I told you about."

"Huh?"

"You know Silan right?" Alex said elbowing Neville.

"What are you talking about?"

"Y-you k-know Silan. Remember the things I t-told you."

"Yeah of course. It nice to see you in person."

"Yeah I can imagine." Silan said. "Well looks like my mates are ready to leave." Silan ruffled Alex´s hair. He was just about to leave. "We should meet up Xander and catch up. After all we have a lot of lost time to make up for."

Alex paled and the hidden treat. No this couldn't not be happing not again. He had been letting Silan bullying him once and now it was about to happen again.

"What was that about?"

Alex looked at Neville. "What do you mean?"

"About your cousin? I mean I never seen you like that."

"Like what – look I am just surprised to see Silan again. It has uh been a while since I last seen him."

"No I seen you surprised, you looked nervous, and you was shuttering."

Alex gave a scoffed "I wasn´t nervous."

"It sure looked like it." Neville commented.

Alex signed. "Okay maybe I was a bit nervous – but that happens all the time."

"With you, no, you are not a man who gets nervous."

"Yeah it does, but I am fine Nev." Alex lied, "look I think I will get some sleep." He added before leaving a worried Neville behind.

…

Even though his dorm mates had fallen asleep some time ago. Alex lay awake thinking about his cousin. Why had he come? Why did he had to continue to ruin Alex´s life? He signed as he remembered all the times the times Silan had bullied him, called him names, beat him up and used magic to hurt him.

Silan´s bullying had been a constant factor in Alex and Silan´s relationship. It was mostly beatings, where Alex would end up with bruises. He end up crawl into a ball and begin to cry, and beg Silan to stop.

When Silan had begun studying at Durmstang he began using magic a Alex – it would be painful cures and it was ten times worse than the punches. Silan had also been an expert on breaking Alex down emotionally. He had made fun Alex, saying that his mother was a blood traitor, that his grandparents hated him and that Alex was unworthy to be an Ambrosius.

That wasn´t the only thing Silan had done sometimes he had even forced him to bully others. Alex hated to admit it, but there had been one time where he hadn´t had the courage to say no, and he had helped Silan to bully another boy. It had only happened once, Alex had been seven, had he had felt horrible afterwards – so the next he had said no – it had resulted in him getting beat up instead.

From that point, the bullying got worse, one day it had really gotten out of hand. It had started out pretty normal well Silan had been chasing him, when he caught up with Alex he would insult him, curse him and hit him then chase him once again. In the second chase Silan curse had sent Alex falling into a pixie nest, beside being swarmed and being bitten by pixies, Alex had also broken his left leg. He had screamed and begged Silan for help, but his cousin had simply left. Luckily, Alex´s grandmother had come and saved him.

After having being sent to a healer, Alex had told his grandmother everything what Silan had done. To say that his grandmother was angry was an understatement. The first thing she did when Alex´s grandfather came home was to tell him about Silan, and the two of them had a talk with him, Alex´s cousin admitted everything, and his father, Alex´s uncle refused to discipline Silan. Therefor Alex´s grandfather had told him, that he no longer was welcome in this house. It had been the last time; Alex had seen his cousin, well until now.

Alex signed. It wasn´t a memory Alex had thought much about, after it had happened his grandmother had spent much time talking with him about it, telling him how wrong Silan had acted. Still seeing Silan again had brought back the memories, and he was wondering if Silan had changed.

…

As the next day was Saturday, most students would normally have breakfasted late. Harry, Ron, Alex, and Hermione, however, were not alone in rising much earlier than they usually did on weekends. When they went down into the entrance hall, they saw about twenty people milling around it, some of them eating toast, all examining the Goblet of Fire. It had been placed in the centre of the hall on the stool that normally bore the Sorting Hat. A thin golden line had been traced on the floor, forming a circle ten feet around it in every direction.

"Anyone put their name in yet?" Ron asked a third-year girl eagerly.

"All the Durmstrang lot," she replied. "But I haven't seen anyone from Hogwarts yet."

"Bet some of them put it in last night after we'd all gone to bed," Harry said. "I would've if it had been me… wouldn't have wanted everyone watching. What if the goblet just gobbed you right back out again?"

Someone laughed behind Alex. Curious he turned and saw Fred, George, and Lee hurrying down the staircase, three of them looking extremely excited.

"Done it," Fred said in a triumphant whisper to Alex and the others. "Just taken it."

"What?" Ron asked.

"The Aging Potion, dung brain," Fred said.

"One drop each," said George, rubbing his hands together with glee. "We only need to be a few months older."

"We're going to split the thousand Galleons between the three of us if one of us wins," said Lee, grinning broadly.

"I'm not sure this is going to work, you know," said Hermione warningly. "I'm sure Dumbledore will have thought of this."

Fred, George, and Lee ignored her.

"Ready?" Fred said to the other two, quivering with excitement. "C'mon, then - I'll go first -"

Alex watched, fascinated, as Fred pulled a slip of parchment out of his pocket bearing the words Fred Weasley - Hogwarts. Fred walked right up to the edge of the line and stood there, rocking on his toes like a diver preparing for a fifty-foot drop. Then, with the eyes of every person in the entrance hall upon him, he took a great breath and stepped over the line.

For a split second Alex thought it had worked - George certainly thought so, for he let out a yell of triumph and leapt after Fred - but next moment, there was a loud sizzling sound, and both twins were hurled out of the golden circle as though they had been thrown by an invisible shot-putter. They landed painfully, ten feet away on the cold stone floor, and to add insult to injury, there was a loud popping noise, and both of them sprouted identical long white beards.

The entrance hall rang with laughter. Even Fred and George joined in, once they had gotten to their feet and taken a good look at each other's beards.

"I did warn you," said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. "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."

Fred and George set off for the hospital wing, accompanied by Lee, who were howling with laughter. Harry, Ron, Alex, and Hermione laughed as they went to breakfast.

The decorations in the Great Hall had changed this morning. As it was Halloween, a cloud of live bats was fluttering around the enchanted ceiling, while hundreds of carved pumpkins leered from every corner. Harry led the way over to Dean and Seamus, who were discussing those Hogwarts students of seventeen or over who might be entering. Since Neville, wasn´t nearby Alex joined them.

"There's a rumour going around that Warrington got up early and put his name in," Dean told Alex. "That big bloke from Slytherin who looks like a sloth. We can't have a Slytherin champion!"

Alex signed.

"And all the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," said Seamus contemptuously. "But I wouldn't have thought he'd have wanted to risk his good looks."

"Listen!" said Hermione suddenly.

People were cheering out in the entrance hall. They all swivelled around in their seats and saw Angelina Johnson coming into the Hall, grinning in an embarrassed sort of way. A tall black girl who played Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Angelina came over to them, sat down, and said, "Well, I've done it! Just put my name in!"

"That is great," Alex, said, "glad that one of us lions will have a chance, so far you are the only one."

"Are you seventeen, then?" Harry asked.

"I had my birthday last week," Angelina said.

"Well, I'm glad someone from Gryffindor's entering," Hermione said. "I really hope you get it, Angelina!"

"Thanks, Hermione," Angelina said, smiling at them.

"Yeah, better you than Pretty-Boy Diggory," Seamus said, causing several Hufflepuffs passing their table to scowl heavily at him.

Alex looked at them and shrugged, he didn´t really know what to think of Diggory. The Hufflepuff hadn´t really acknowledge Alex, but he had noticed some dark glances from the Hufflepuff seeker. As he looked up Alex noticed that the golden trio had left. Alex signed as he got up. Not really knowing what to do, Daphne, Tracey and Blaise wasn´t here and neither was Erik or Neville, they where properly all busy with their hobbies or studying. Alex signed and began walking aimlessly around, not really knowing what to do.

"You looks as a boy that have nowhere to go." A voice said as Alex had reached the great lake. The voice belonged to the Ravenclaw prefect and sixth year Mellissa Robinson.

"Hey Mellissa," he greeted, "and have somewhere to go – I just don´t know where yet."

"Hmm well that nothing wrong with a bit walking to clear your heard, it is something I will recommend if you get stressed during your O.W.L year, or really if you just is stressed."

"I try to remember that, what about you? What are you doing out here?"

"I wanted to clear my head and was kind of bored. You can´t study in the common room right now. There is just too much champion talk. I mean Roger Davies won´t shut up about putting his name in."

"Hmm so he want to have a go too. So far I know that Angelina Johnson have entered as well."

"I knew. She told me that she would."

"Would you have done it?"

Mellissa grinned as she shocked her head. "No, not a chance! I am kind of glad that my birthday is six months away."

"I think I would have given it a try if I was old enough. It sounds pretty exciting and you get to compared with the best from the others schools."

"Why I am not surprised." Mellissa said, as the two friends sat at the lake.

"Well it isn´t likely to happen. The age line seams fool proof, as some have learned the hard way."

"They will be alright won´t they I mean George and Fred."

"They will be fine; there is no way Dumbledore will ever let a student be harmed."

"Well I hope Fred is okay." Mellissa said softly.

"Sure," Alex waved his hand, "I tell them- just Fred?" He added as he looked at Mellissa.

"and George. I said George too, you just didn´t hear me."

Alex raised an eyebrow, "I am pretty sure you just said Fred." He then noticed Mellissa blush a bit, "you like him!"

"He sure is charming, but don´t if I like him."

"Sure."

"Is he seeing anyone?"

"Nope he isn´t"

Mellissa smiled, "that is good uh I uh oh well it is good."

Alex smiled, "well I am glad I can bring good news." He paused, "so planning to ask him out, you should do that"

Mellissa blushed and checked her watch, and stood up. "Oh will you look at the time, I have to get back and study."

"Sure you will" Alex said with a teasing smile.

Melissa gave a mock huff then smiled "thanks for the chat Alex." She was just about to leave then she stopped. "Oh and maybe you should ask her out too, after all Daphne is a pretty girl." She added before leaving blushing Alex behind.

…

It was about an hour later, and Alex had chosen to stay at the lake and just relax. He had been surprised to learn that Mellissa liked Fred; then again, they would be a good couple.

"Hey Alex!" said a voice taken Alex out of his reverie, he looked up and saw it was Daphne.

"Hey Daph." Alex said smiling and tried to hide the tiny blush that had appeared on his face as he stood up. If Daphne had noticed she didn´t show "What is up?"

"Not much, I been spending time with Tracey and Blaise, then I been trying to find you. Luckily I met Mellissa, who told me that you were sitting here. She said what was it?" Daphne appeared to think about it for a few seconds, "that you had a lazy day."

"Yeah well you should try it Daph." Alex said while stretching his body.

"Believe or not I do knew how to relax, I just am a bit more serious with my studies. Anyway why relax alone why not hang with me, Tracey and Blaise?"

"Sure, I was planning to, but you wasn´t at breakfast" Alex smiled.

"We came down a bit early, but uh first I kind of need your help."

"With what?" Alex said his smile dropping a bit.

"I show you." Daphne said simply and began walking away.

"I asked with what, not that I would do it." Alex called after her. But Daphne didn't reply, she just kept walking. Alex sighed, rolled his eyes, and jogged after her. "Didn´t you hear me."

"So you won´t do it?" Daphne asked with a playful smile, looking at Alex but not stopping up.

"No, I will help, but seriously what is wrong?"

"Well it is – it take too much time to explain I show you." Daphne began walking faster, and Alex could only follow.

Daphne led Alex to the castle and up to the sixth floor towards a corridor where he could hear laughing and shouting. Daphne stopped up looking at Alex, just before the two friends could turn down at it.

"What's going on?" Alex asked.

"Just look!"

Alex sighed and looked around the corner to see his enemy Nott, Goyle, Crabbe, and Malfoy. But that wasn't all he saw. Erik was there, and so was his bag that was being tossed around by Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle, as if they were playing keep away. Malfoy was leaning against the wall, looking mildly amused. Erik looked really stressed and disparate as he shouted for them to get him his bag back.

"Well you took your time finding him!" Whispered another voice, surprising Alex. He turned around to see Tracey and Blaise had joined them. Blaise greeted with a smirk and a nod.

"Hey Alex," Tracey said with a smile, as she let go of Blaise´s hand

"Hey, guys." Alex smiled back and turned to Daphne. "What do you want me to do about this?" He asked her while pointing towards Erik and the bullies.

"Uh help him." Daphne said and continued. "Come on we have seen you talking with him during classes, and I knew that you guys do your healing homework together."

"Yeah we are study together, but that doesn´t make him my friend."

Daphne snorted, "Since when have that stopped you, and beside you only study with people you see as friends. So you are saying that you won´t help?"

"No, of course I will help. I just saying that we isn´t best mates."

"Well as we said when have that stoped you?" Tracey asked.

Alex looked again at the distressed Erik. "No, I help." He said as he drew his wand, and then looked around to see if the others had done the same. "I need a partner, if I have to do this."

"What you can´t take them out yourself?" Blaise asked crossing his arms.

"Well if it was just Crabbe, and Goyle then yes, and with Nott then maybe, but when Malfoy is with them as well so I need back-up."

"Fine!" Blaise signed, "let us just get this over with!"

Alex nodded and he and Blaise entered the corridor where the bullies still were tormenting Erik, they quickly noticed Alex and Blaise.

"Zabini, Black," Nott said, breathing a little heavily. "Come join us."

"Why the hell would I ever join you in anything." Alex said looking at all the Slytherins in turn. Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle sneered back at him while Malfoy watched in, this however, there was nothing hateful about it, he actually just looked curious. "Now lets us all act our age and give Erik is bag back."

"What do you think that, are you a prefect?"

"No Nott, I do think you shall give Erik his bag."

"Why should we," Nott said stubbornly, tossing the bag to Goyle, since Erik had tried getting it from him. "Besides, you can't tell us what to do, nor can you make us."

"Do you want to bet on that Nott." as Goyle tossed the bag to Crabbe, ignoring Erik´s yell for them to stop it. Nott didn't say anything, then looked at Blaise.

"Blaise, why do you hang around with this guy," Nott said, catching the bag, Crabbe hat tossed to him. "He's a Gryffindor, a loser."

"He might be a Gryffindor, but you are the loser:" Blaise hissed.

"Is that so?" Nott said, throwing the bag into Erik where it hit his chest, making him fall to the ground with a small yelp. "I don´t really get you guys, you both sound be on my side. I mean Blaise you are a Slytherin, what would you father say about you helping a –"Nott paused and looked at Erik, -" a foreign half-blood."

"I don´t really care about my father, he chose to leave me."

Nott shook his head and turned to Alex. "and you. Your family have such a history of greatness. They were proud pure bloods, and some even had ties with the dark lord."

"Tsk well maybe I am my father´s son, you and Malfoy should know - after all you pitiful just like your fathers."

Malfoy paled and Nott looked angry, "maybe you should lean some respect your little pest."

"I know who to respect. Come on Erik lets go." Erik began to move but was stopped by Nott.

"Did I say you could go loser." He said pushing Erik at the ground again making Alex and Blaise growl making Nott look at them. "and you two, I am so sick of you going against me, you need to know who your allies is." He said taking out his wand.

"I know who they are." Blaise said as he drew out his wand as well.

"Yeah I ask you again when you friend is down." Nott said and then pointed his wand. "Just you watch what you can do when you have real power." He said, the waved his wand, "Confingo!" And a purple curse soared towards Alex, quickly side stepped it, instead of hitting him the curse hit and blew up a suit of armour. Alex noticed that Malfoy looked at him before running away.

"Nice try Nott." Alex said and waved his wand at Goyle while shouting "Eltaltium." The curse hit and Goyle grunted in pain, as he grabbed his stomach.

Blaise quickly followed with an attack on Crabbe, and the Flipendo knocked him over, seconds after Alex had disarmed Goyle and knocked him out.

"It is over Nott, you are outnumbered." Alex said as both he and Blaise had pointed their wands at him.

"Tsk do you think you scare me Black, Malfoy and I can take you out."

Alex snorted, "well then where is Draco?"

Nott´s eyes flickered and he looked at where Malfoy had been. Nott turned back to Alex. "This isn't over," he growled, then left down the corridor, possible the same way Malfoy left.

Alex and Blaise pocket their wands as Erik stood up and walked up to the two. "Wonder why Malfoy left," Blaise wondered.

"Probably didn't want to get into trouble," Alex said. "That curse Nott through could have put me in the Hospital Wing for a month." Blaise nodded in agreement.

"Uh thanks for what you did." Erik said uncertainly as he placed the bag over his shoulder. "You didn´t had to do that."

"You welcome." Blaise smiled.

"Of course we help you. Are you okay by the way?" Alex asked looking at Erik, who looked away.

"I a-am fine, uh I mean uh well I am f-fine."

"You know they are jerks right?"

"Yeah," Blaise cut in, "They are the worst of us Slytherin. From what I have seen you ten times more man then them,"

Erik tried giving a smile, "I guess."

The three of them walked away from Crabbe and Goyle who still was on the ground, groaning. There they met Daphne and Tracey, who smiled at them.

"Erik, this my friends Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis." Alex said pointing at the girls, who smiled at Erik, who gave a shy smile in return."

"It must be nice to have so many good friends." Erik said, "but thanks again the help."

"No problem, I always like to help my friends."

Erik looked surprised, which made Alex a bit worried. "I-I am your f-friend?"

"Sure you are."

"wow thanks."

"What about that we someplace little nicer to talk." Daphne said, making Alex, Tracey and Blaise nod.

"Sure."

"Right" Erik said a bit awkwardly as began taking a few steps back. "I don´t want to intrude."

"Oh okay didn´t knew you were busy." Daphne said again smiling at Erik, making Alex smile at his friend´s cunning way of getting Erik at the group.

Erik looked a bit surprised "Wait, uh the invitation was for me too?" he asked.

"Sure it was right guys? Again Alex, Tracey and Blaise nodded, "a friend of Alex, can be a friend of mine."

Erik smiled "w-well uh I love to."

Alex smiled and lightly punched Erik´s arm. "Great so where to? What about the lake I mean the weather is okay."

The five friends made their way to the lake where they began talking about who could be the champions of each school. At first, Erik was a bit hesitant to talk that much, but eventually as the talking progressed he loosened up, naturally being new to the school he really had no idea who the Hogwarts champion would be. They soon went on to other topics; Erik told them of his old school, the teachers, subjects and his two friends there. The Hogwarts students in returned told him of the they years they had, about the philosopher's stone, the basilisk, and Sirius Black, although Alex left out some parts in the last story.

…

The Gryffindor, the Ravenclaw and the three Slytherins continued to hang out, until half past five. At that time, it was growing dark, and they decided it was time to get back up to the castle for the Halloween feast - and, more important, the announcement of the school champions. Since bets had been made.

When they entered the candlelit Great Hall, the five went their separate ways to their own house table.

It was hard to miss that the Goblet of Fire had been moved; it was now standing in front of Dumbledore's empty chair at the teachers' table. Fred and George - clean-shaven again - seemed to have taken their disappointment fairly well, however they smiled at Alex as he sat beside them. Not long after Alex saw that Hagrid entered the Great Hall, to his surprise Madam Maxime was at his side, not the golden trio. Alex briefly wondered where they were.

"So George how do you think will be our champion." Alex asked.

George shrugged, "no idea, not really sure who have entered their name. I only know that Angela has done it."

"Well I heard that Kenneth Towler have entered his name as well, but other then these two I don´t know if any Gryffindor have entered." Alex said, "I do know that all the male Slytherin who can, have entered their name."

"Well Chris Wilson has as well, although I actually prefer a Slytherin champion over him?" Fred asked worriedly, "I can´t believe I just said that."

"Come on from what I heard is Ethan Cowley is nice enough."

"Still I hope it is Angela," Fred said.

"So do I." said a breathless Hermione, who had arrived with Harry and Ron. "Well, we'll soon know!"

The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, but Alex didn't seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as he would have normally. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether Dumbledore had finished eating yet, Alex simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as champions.

Finally, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as the rest of them. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

"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."

Dumbledore 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… Alex briefly looked at his watch then back at the cup.

"Any second," Lee whispered, a seat away from Alex.

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.

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 storm of applause and cheering swept across the Hall. Alex joined in as well, as he watched the Durmstrang students. He noticed that Silan looked jealous and glanced at Krum as he stood up. Krum didn´t really looked to impressed he simply walked toward Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff boomed, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!"

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!"

"It's her, Ron!" Alex heard Harry shout as the girl who so resembled a veela got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. Where Krum had looked a bit indifferent this girl had confidant smile on her face, the other students from Beauxbatons especially the girls looked very disappointed. A few of them was actually crying and other were giving Fleur the evil eyes as she went to the same room as Krum had.

As Fleur Delacour too had vanished, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it, and could also feel his heart beating a bit faster it was mostly due to the excitement, but there was something else too like a foreboding. He looked briefly at Harry thinking that he might end up as the champion.

And then 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, then paused making Alex gulp "is Cedric Diggory!"

Alex signed in relief, but nobody heard him as the uproar from the next table was too great. Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers' table. Indeed, the applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily, as at last the tumult 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 —"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him.

The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment. Alex gulped, as that feeling of foreboding was as strong as ever.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. All except Alex and Harry who looked at each other. Alex could clearly sense the fear that Harry must be feeling. But it couldn't be Harry´s name – it just couldn't, but what else could it be and it would be very bad.

And then Dumbledore cleared his throat making Alex look at his headmaster, as he prepared for Harry name being called, then Dumbledore read out –

"Alexander Black."

There was a silence in the hall, "at least it wasn´t Harry." Alex thought, but then he realized what Dumbledore had said, it hadn´t been Harry´s name it had been his, not only that it had been his true name, and it had been his. Without having entered his name, Alex had somehow ended up a champion. "Oh Crap basket." He whispered to himself.

…

Chapter end.

So Alex is the fourth champion, who will believe that he hasn´t entered his name in the goblet. Will the school accepted that a murderer's son is a champion; will there be friendship that will be lost? Will Alex even survive this tournament and why was he chosen instead of Harry.

A big thanks to those who have reviewed my story, and to those who have put it on their favourite list. Please continue to do so.