The Alexander Chronicles Year 4: The Return of Darkness.
Chapter 16: I didn´t do it!
Alex just sat there, he could feel that every eye in the great hall was on him, well expect for the ones that didn´t knew that he was a Black. He could hear the whisper began to break out, but Alex just sat there. He couldn't believe this was happing, he must be dreaming or maybe he had heard wrong. Why was this happing to him? It used to be Harry that was in the spotlight.
"Alexander Black!" Dumbledore called again, looking straight at Alex, many had followed Dumbledore´s stare, and the whispers grow. "Alexander Black, You need to come up here."
Alex slowly got to his feet feeling numb, he noticed that many at the Gryffindor table looked at him strangely, but in his current state, Alex couldn't see if they were angry. However, it was clear that many other students were.
There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Alex as he just stood there frozen in place, not wanting move. Not wanting to patriate in this tournament. Why hadn´t there had been any form of security in this? How could someone just have walked up to the goblet and put another name in?
Up at the top table Alex could see; that Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly. Then Alex looked at the Gryffindor table to see his friends; the twins looked shocked and maybe a bit impressed, Neville only looked shocked. Harry had worried look in his eyes, Hermione had that too, but he could also see that her brain was working overtime to calculate if or how Alex had placed his name at the goblet. Alex also noticed the angry and dark look Ron was giving him.
"N-no – i-it w-wasn´t me I didn´t d-do this." Alex said out in the open, hope that someone would stand up and support him. "Please you have to believe me."
Nobody answered, and once again, Alex could hear Dumbledore call. "Alexander I need you to come here."
"No I" Alex said in a so low voice so that only those who were sitting beside him could hear him.
"Mate you need to this this sorted." Fred said giving Alex a small push.
Alex nodded, and was bit surprised that his feet actually moved. He slowly walked through the gap between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. It felt like an immensely long walk; the top table didn't seem to be getting any nearer at all, and he could feel hundreds and hundreds of eyes upon him, as though each were a searchlight. Then the whispering turned to shouting.
"He's a Cheat!"
"He's not even Seventeen yet!"
"He is a Black, like in Sirius Black?"
"Yeah he is that psychopath son."
"Kick him out of the school."
"Yeah he doesn´t belong here."
"He just trying to steal Cedric´s fame."
"I always knew he was a bad egg."
"Dark, just like his parents."
"Kick him out!"
"He doesn´t belong here!"
After what seemed like an hour, he was right in front of Dumbledore, feeling the stares of all the teachers upon him.
"Well…through the door, Mr. Black," said Dumbledore. He wasn't smiling. Alex swallowed and moved off along the teachers' table. After getting a reassuring pad om the shoulder from McGonagall.
Alex continued down the teachers table, and every teacher was looking at him strangely. Even Hagrid who was seated right at the end, at the teacher table did not wink at Alex, or wave, or give any of his usual signs of greeting. He looked completely astonished.
Alex went through the door out of the Great Hall and found himself in a smaller room, lined with paintings of witches and wizards. A handsome fire was roaring in the fireplace opposite him. The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered. He saw a wizened witch flit out of the frame of her picture and into the one next to it, which contained a wizard with a walrus moustache. The wizened witch started whispering in his ear.
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were grouped around the fire. They looked strangely impressive, silhouetted against the flames. Krum, hunched up and brooding, was leaning against the mantelpiece, slightly apart from the other two. Cedric was standing with his hands behind his back, staring into the fire. Fleur Delacour looked around when Alex walked in and threw back her sheet of long, silvery hair.
"What is it?" she said. "Do zey want us back in ze Hall?"
She thought he had come to deliver a message. Alex didn't know how to explain what had just happened. He just stood there, looking at the three champions, and feeling awkward. It struck him how very tall all of them were. "Uh I Uh" Alex tried but gave up as he couldn't get his tongue to work, it was numb just like the rest of his body.
There was a sound of scurrying feet behind him, and Ludo Bagman entered the room. He took Alex by the arm and led him forward.
"Extraordinary!" he muttered, squeezing his arm.
"Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen and lady," he said, approaching the fireside and addressing the other three. "May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth Triwizard champion?"
Viktor Krum straightened up. His surly face darkened as he surveyed Alex. Cedric looked nonplussed. He looked from Bagman to Alex and back again as though sure he must have misheard what Bagman had said. Fleur Delacour, however, tossed her hair, smiling, and said, "Oh, very funny joke, Meester Bagman."
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, bewildered. "No, no, not at all! Young Alexander Black´s name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"
Krum's thick eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric was still looking politely bewildered, but as he looked at Alex, his eyes flashed. Fleur frowned.
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman. "He cannot compete. He is too young."
"Well… it is amazing," said Bagman, rubbing his smooth chin and smiling down at Alex. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet… I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage…It's down in the rules, you're obliged…Alex will just have to do the best he —"
"But I don´t-"
The door behind them opened again, and a large group of people came in: Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape. Alex heard the buzzing of the hundreds of students on the other side of the wall, before Professor McGonagall closed the door.
"Madame Maxime!" said Fleur at once, striding over to her headmistress. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"
Despite being, shocked Alex now also felt a little anger. Little boy! He had properly seen and done more than she ever would. He had faced a basilisk, he was one of the youngest who had master the Patronus Charm, had defeated over a hundred dementors and helped an falsely accused marauder escape.
Madame Maxime had drawn herself up to her full, and considerable, height. The top of her handsome head brushed the candle-filled chandelier, and her gigantic black-satin bosom swelled.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she said imperiously.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions – or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"
He gave a short and nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur's shoulder. "Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."
"It's no one's fault but Mr Black, Karkaroff," said Snape softly. Alex raised an eyebrow at him since he spoke in a tone that he normally only used on Harry. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Mr. Black's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here, along with Potter. Like fathers, like sons -"
"Thank you, Severus," said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.
Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Alex, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Alexander?" he asked calmly.
"No," said Alex, shaking his head. He was very aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.
"No," said Alex vehemently.
"Ah, but of course he is lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.
"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Professor McGonagall sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime, shrugging.
"It is possible, of course," said Dumbledore politely.
"Albus, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Professor McGonagall angrily. "Really, what nonsense! Alexander could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"
She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape.
"It is oblivious they you all is blinded by the boy." Karkaroff sneered. "I demand that, he is put under a more intense questioning, and then he should punished."
"Really Karkaroff." McGonagall replied sounding even angrier than before.
"Look," Alex sneered as his anger became stronger than his fear. "I have already said, that I didn´t ask anyone to put my name in the goblet nor did I levitate it in or in any way try fooling the age line."
"Ze boy ´ave given zis some ´hought." Madame Maxime said.
"But I didn´t do it!" Alex repeated. "You can give me Veritaserum if you want, or better yet don´t let me enter." He added crossing his arms.
"Mr. Crouch… Mr. Bagman," said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.
"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."
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.
"So what I don´t get a vote?"
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students," said Karkaroff ignoring what Alex just had said. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," Bagman said in resigned voice. "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament. We have to finish this one first."
"In which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" Karkaroff exploded. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat, Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. A binding magical contract, that just be broken without severe consequences. Convenient, eh?"
Alex nearly jumped, he hadn´t heard Moody entering the room. He limped toward the fire and with every right step he took there was a loud clunk. He gave Alex a quick look, before looking at Karkaroff.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody." Alex could tell he was trying to sound disdainful, as though what Moody was saying was barely worth his notice, but his hands gave him away; they had balled themselves into fists.
"Don't you?" Moody said quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Mr. Black's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out." Alex swallowed, wishing they stopped saying Mr. Black, at least for now. It made it worse somehow. Each time the word was said it was as they were saying he is dark like his father is supposed to be.
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" Madame Maxime said coldly.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Black," growled Moody, "but… funny thing… I don't hear him saying a word…"
"Why should he complain?" burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. "He 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't he? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honour for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
"But I-"
However, Moody interrupted Alex, before he could say more. "Maybe someone's hoping Mr. Black is going to die for it." He said, with the merest trace of a growl. Alex looked stunned. Who would wish for him to be dead? Beside Nott who was the same age, who would want him dead. It sounded ridiculous.
An extremely tense silence followed Moody's words. Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, "Moody, old man… what a thing to say!"
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."
"Imagining things, am I?" Moody growled. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet…"
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands." beside ze boy ´ave admitted entering."
"He didn´t admit a thing. He just pointed out that we should put a lid on the goblet the next time. If and I stress if he was guilty he never would have mentioned that. But that is not the most important proof that is something else."
"What?" Madame Maxime asked, but Alex was interested in hearing Moody´s argument as well.
"The person has hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only THREE schools compete in the tournament… I'm guessing they submitted Mr. Black's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category, that answers why there is FOUR champions. This act is beyond a mere fourth year however powerful. He would simply be incapable at doing this. It funny that none of you have thought of this."
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," Karkaroff said coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…"
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice. "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember…"
"Alastor!" said Dumbledore warningly. Alex wondered for a moment whom he was speaking to, but then realised "Mad-Eye" could hardly be Moody's real first name. Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction - Karkaroff's face was burning.
"How this situation arose, we do not know," said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Alexander have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do…
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr -"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it."
Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn't the only one either. Snape looked strange; Karkaroff livid; Bagman, however, looked rather excited.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honours?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.
"Yes," he said, "instructions. Yes… the first task…"
He moved forward into the firelight. Close up, Alex thought he looked ill. There were dark shadows beneath his eyes and a thin, papery look about his wrinkled skin that had not been there at the Quidditch World Cup.
"The first task is designed to test your daring," he told them, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important." There was a small pause, where Crouch looked at them all, with a twisted smile.
"I will tell you this; the first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. You are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from your teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament."
"The champions will face the first challenge armed 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-year tests."
Mr. Crouch turned to look at Dumbledore.
"Have I remembered everything Albus?" Mr. Crouch asked, but again he sounded strange – distant.
"I think so," said Dumbledore, who was looking at him with mild concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"
Mr. Crouch was silent for a few seconds. "No Dumbledore I have to go back to the Ministry. It is a very busy time, and I left young uh Weatherby in charge. He is a good man, very enthusiastic… a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told."
"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" Dumbledore said.
"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" Bagman said brightly. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"
"I think not, Ludo," said Crouch with a touch of his old impatience.
"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" said Dumbledore.
But Madame Maxime had already put her arm around Fleur's shoulders and was leading her swiftly out of the room. Alex could hear them both talking very fast in French as they went off into the Great Hall, he heard that they were talking about him. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they, too, exited, though in silence. Just before he left Krum looked at Alex, then he followed his headmaster.
"Alexander, Cedric, I suggest you go up to bed," Dumbledore said, smiling at both of them. "I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."
"But I-"
"No Alexander, it is out of my hands." Dumbledore said sternly.
"I don´t want to go to the common room."
"It is for the best Alexander."
Alexander signed as he and Cedric left together.
The Great Hall was deserted now; the candles had burned low, giving the jagged smiles of the pumpkins an eerie, flickering quality.
"So," Cedric said as they reached the entrance hall, which was now lit only by torches in the absence of the Goblet of Fire, "you got in the tournament."
"I didn´t put my name in." Alex could see that Cedric didn´t believe him.
"Right sure you didn´t."
"I didn´t, and I never wanted to try to steal your gory or something."
"Right." Cedric said again, but it was still clear that he didn´t believe him. "I got to go see my housemates."
Instead of going up the marble staircase, Cedric headed for a door to its right. Alex stood listening to him going down the stone steps beyond it, and then slowly, he started to climb the marble ones.
Was anyone except his friends going to believe him, or would they all think he'd put himself in for the tournament? He knew how people could think that, as he said he would enter if he could, but he hadn´t really meant that. Now he was facing competitors who'd had three years' more magical education than he had. He had to compete in some dangerous task that would be judged. Each movement being watched, and then there were the risk – the risk that his luck would run out and he would die.
Then he thought of what Moody had said, was there really someone who had wanted him in the tournament, and had made sure that would happen. But why would anyone do that? To give him a treat? No none of his friends would do that.
Then there was another option that they wanted to make a fool of himself? That would most likely succeed, he had no idea what to do now.
The third option, Moody´s theory was the most disturbing. Was it someone who wanted him dead? Could this really be true or was Moody just being his usual paranoid self? But who wanted him dead?
And why him, if it was Harry then he could see why some had wanted him dead – then Alex would have suspected some of Voldemort´s followers, but why would they go after Alex. But then who would want him dead. None of this made any sense.
Alex got a shock to find himself facing the Fat Lady already. He had barely noticed where his feet were carrying his. It was also a surprise to see that she was not alone in her frame. The wizened witch who had flitted into her neighbour's painting when Alex had joined the champions downstairs was now sitting smugly beside the Fat Lady. She must have dashed through every picture lining seven staircases to reach here before him. Both she and the Fat Lady were looking down at her with the keenest interest.
"Well, well, well," said the Fat Lady, "Violet's just told me everything. Who's just been chosen as school champion, then?"
Alex licked his dry lips, before saying. "Balderdash."
"It most certainly isn't!" said the pale witch indignantly.
"No, no, Vi, it's the password," said the Fat Lady soothingly, and she swung forward on her hinges to let Alex into the common room.
Alex stood there in a few moments, he could hear the talking from the common room, but he couldn't hear if they were angry. He took a step forward, then paused not wanting to enter.
"You have to get in." The fat Lady said.
Alex nodded, and took some deep breaths then he walked in. Next thing he knew, he was being wrenched inside the common room by about a dozen pairs of hands, and was facing 1/3 of the Gryffindor House, all of whom were screaming, applauding, and whistling. The others were sitting at the other side of the common room and was glancing darkly at him. To tell the truth Alex was surprised that that many were greeting him with smiles.
"Wow Alex I had no idea that you had entered," Fred said shaking Alex´s hand.
"Yeah you must tell us how." George added shaking Alex´s other hand.
This was normally something that made Alex smile, but not this time. This time it made him sad, not even those that were happy to see him believed him. "Look I didn´t put my name in."
But nobody heard him instead Angela gave him a hug. "Now it doesn´t matter if it isn´t me, I am just glad that it is Gryffindor."
"Yeah," Katie Bell, another Gryffindor chaser, said lightly punching Alex´s shoulder. "And you toe to toe with Diggory. Now you can avenge the Gryffindor team´s honour."
Alex didn´t reply after all how many time could he keep saying that he didn´t do it.
"Alex we have food for you, come join the party." Fred said waving his hand towards a table filled with butterbeer and cups filled crisps and peanuts.
"I-I am n-not really hungry, I have just eaten."
But nobody listen, nobody listen to him saying that he wasn´t hungry, nobody listen to the fact that he didn´t put his name in the Goblet of Fire, all they could was to congratulate him. Alex didn´t know who were worse those who were congratulate him or those who were giving him dark glances.
Right now he had to say it was the first; Lee had unearthed a Gryffindor banner from somewhere, and he insisted on draping it around Alex like a cloak. And everyone kept asking how Alex had managed to fool Dumbledore´s age line, what kind of trick he used to get his name in.
"I didn´t," Alex kept saying. "I don´t know."
But they kept asking and asking and asking, saying that he could tell them, and each time Alex tried getting to the dormitory he was stopped by a new one that wanted to ask him, the question that he really hated by now.
Alex started to get frustrated was there anybody that believed him finally he had enough. "I DIDN`T DO IT." He screamed, "SO STOP BLOODY ASKING ME HOW, BECAUSE I DIDN´T DO IT." Alex took a deep breath trying to calm himself, as he looked at everyone shocked faces. "Look I am tried so if you don´t mind I will go to bed."
"Look Alex just chill. Take a new butterbeer." George begun as he laid his hand on Alex´s shoulder, but Alex shrugged it off.
"No George I will go to bed now." Alex said. "So just leave alone okay." He added before storming to stairs, pushing everyone that was trying to block his path away, getting rid off the Gryffindor banner in the process. Just because he went up the stairs, Alex took a brief look back at his housemates, they still looked shocked at his outburst. Harry was also in the crowd looking at Alex with worried eyes. Alex also spotted Chris and he actually gave him a sympatric look. "Great of all the students, he believes me." Alex thought then he turned on his heel and hurried to his dormitory.
Alex was just about to enter when he heard his name being called. He stopped and let Harry catch up to him. "Hey Alex."
"Hey Harry!"
"What a day huh?"
"Yeah." Alex said finding that his voice was trembling a bit.
"You know just before Dumbledore said your name I thought it would be me."
Alex nodded, but didn´t say anything, nothing really needed being said.
"I believe you," Harry said, "No matter if I am the only one."
Alex opened his mouth to say thanks, but no words came out. He took a few seconds then. "Thanks Harry, hope you will enjoy the party." He said before entering his dormitory with only one wish to go to bed.
There was only one person in there and that was Ron Weasley, he was lying on his bed fully dressed, when he noticed that it was Alex who had stepped in the room he stood up.
"Oh Hello Black, because I guess that is what you be calling yourself now?" Ron hissed, but didn´t wait for Alex to reply. "So you managed to cross the age line. So have you been stealing Harry´s Invisibility Cloak."
"The Cloak wouldn't have been able to get me over the line." Alex hissed, not wanting to discuss this with Ron.
"Yeah you been given this a lot thought."
"I haven´t put my name in this bloody goblet." Alex hissed.
"And you think anyone will believe you. You know that everybody laugh behind your back."
"Don´t," Alex hissed, "maybe just try hearing what I say."
"Why should I?" Ron roared. "YOU IS THE WORST GRYFFINDOR EVER," Ron smirked and continued in a low but sneering voice. "You always hang out with snakes. You're from a dark family. Oh, and you're insane really insane."
Alex growled, "I am not insane."
"Oh but you are Black. I mean cheating your way in just go you can get a chance at some prize money. You don´t belong here. You never did."
"So how did I get in Weasley?" Alex snapped, "if you are so bloody cleaver then how did I get in the bloody goblet?"
"Oh I have ideas. I think you used dark magic, really dark magic. I mean what else could have fooled the cup. Soon everyone will know too. They will know that you're a dark wizard and that you are psychopath."
"Stop calling me that. I am not a psychopath!" Alex hissed.
"Or maybe it was some of your little snake friends that helped you."
"Don´t bring them into this Weasley or I swear I."
"You what? Curse me?-"
"Maybe."
"Heh I just as I thought, you are nuts Black a psychopath and a cheater. I just wonder why Dumbledore can´t see this."
"Maybe he is just a bit more opened minded then you, he certainly is a lot smarter."
"You think you are so cleaver, but you are loser, a nutter and a pest."
"Shut it Weasley." Alex growled as he clenched his fist.
"It is only a matter of time, before everyone see what I see." Ron hissed.
"Then it would mean stupidly is contagious."
"Just shut it Black! I know you used dark magic to put your name in the goblet, and then you manipulate everyone around you. You are nothing but a slimly traitor. So have fun in your little tournament." Ron smirked, "even though you don´t deserve it. But it don´t matter, as I said soon everybody will see that you are a pathetic loser."
"You know what maybe you should stop blaming others just because you are to worthless to do anything." Alex hissed.
"SHUT IT BLACK, I AM TEN TIMES BETTER THEN YOU." Ron yelled then continued in a quitter and more mocking tone. "You are evil and sad. I mean being dark is in your blood Black. I mean the Ambrosius and especially the Blacks have always been dark good for nothing snakes. And everyone will know you are from that family."
"Really Weasley because you sure liked Sirius."
"Tsk Sirius is fine, but you are just like the rest of his psycho family. I mean Sirius doesn´t even like you." Alex felt as he had been slapped and before could respond Ron went to the door as he said. "One time loser always a loser, have fun being humiliated. I look forward watching you fail. Then he left.
Just seconds after, Harry and Neville entered the dorm. "Alex look Ron was-"
"Not now Harry!" Alex snapped, then walked over to his bed, wrenched the hangings shut around his four-poster. A bit ashamed that he had snapped at Harry and a mind full of worry if the person that mattered the most would believe him.
…
Meanwhile Dumbledore had asked Professors Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and Alastor Moody to stay at the champion briefing room.
"How could this happen Albus?" Professor McGonagall thundered, "the students should be safe, and now Mr. Black is right in the middle of it."
"Don´t be naïve Minerva. Black has put this on himself by being reckless and-" Snape begun, but was quickly interrupted by McGonagall.
"So he is just Black now Severus? I remember being impressed with Alexander, but I see that his new last name have changed that? Are you really so blinded by childhood hate?"
"This is not the time," Dumbledore said. "The fact is that Alexander Black is a champion."
"But how can this be Albus?" McGonagall asked again.
"I honestly have no idea Minerva, I should have taken in to account that an older student could fake another student, but I thought the fact that it requires a magical imprint would be enough. The only way it would work is if Alexander had written his name on that parchment."
"Well someone could have stolen one of Blacks assignments and simply have stolen the paper with his signature and faked a copy had leave that, thus having his handwriting and therefor also his magical signature." Moody spoke up, "but that doesn´t change that someone wanted Black to be in the tournament."¨
"But why? Black is just a boy."
"That is a mystery Minerva. I had to admit when I first read the parchment I assumed it would be Harry Potter´s name."
"Harry´s why?"
"Then it had been his then it would be clear that it was Voldemort that was on the move again."
"You-know-who? Why do you think he is responsible?"
"Many things, Bertha Jorkins disappearing, the old muggle Frank Bryce´s death. My contacts at the Ministry have confirmed that he have been killed by the killing curse." Dumbledore said looking thoughtful. "Then there was the Death Eaters activates this summer."
"That could just be the work of rouge Death Eaters." McGonagall said, although she didn´t sound as she believed that herself.
"Maybe. However, my contacts have told me that Voldemort have left Albania. He would not have done that without having a plan. Then there is also the fact that it was in Albania Bertha Jorkins last was seen. Ludo have told me that that was the destination for her holyday. We can only assume she must have found Voldemort and paid the price."
The rest of the teachers looked grim over the fact that the most feared wizard was moving again, after all it was luck that Harry Potter had stopped him the other times.
"If I may headmaster; there have been whispers in their circles; they are all worried about the appearing of the dark mark." Snape said slowly, "but why would the Dark Lord be interested in Mr. Black?"
"I have no answer." Dumbledore muttered. "However nor do I see reason to blame anyone else. I don´t see how young Alexander is connected to all this. He does portray skills that Voldemort is looking for in his followers, but all that just to have Mr. Black join him? I simply have no idea"
"Then call tournament off Albus! I know you can do that." McGonagall asked, "It is the safest thing to do."
"It might be the safest, but is it the wisest headmaster."
"Severus you can´t possible mean."
"I agree with Snape!" Moody said, "right now we are blind, but if we keep an eye on things, we might be able to catch the one, who placed young Mr. Black in the goblet. Then I quickly will make him tell the reason."
"Albus say something."
"I agree with Severus and Alastor." Dumbledore said after a short time.
"Use him as bate, Albus. Alexander is just a boy."
"A boy with extraordinary magical abilities." Moody said. "I wouldn't underestimate him."
"Still a boy, that lacks the training and experience. Not to mention he have been through enough."
"Enough," Dumbledore said, "we will wait and see, but Alastor keep an eye on Mr. Black." And continued as Moody gave a small nod, "However do it without him knowing. The poor boy must have enough to think about right now – we all do." Pause "and keep an eye out for Harry too."
"Why Harry?" McGonagall asked, "if it is Mr. Black that is at risk."
"Yes Mr. Black is indeed in trouble," Dumbledore said with a sign. "However if it is Voldemort then his plan must have something to do with Harry. So keep an eye out on them both"
Moody nodded, and left the room happy that Occlumency was good enough to fool the old man. The dark lord would be very pleased.
…
Chapter end.
I hoped you liked it. So Ron still hates Alex, Cedric sees him as a cheater and a symbol of all the things he hates.
As for now Alex´s only worry is if Daphne will believe him, but will she? Will anyone else? Will Harry be Alex only supporter or will he abandon Alex to support Ron instead.
Also what about the little meetings the teachers had.
Please review and let me know what you think, and a big thanks to those who reviews.