A/N: Hello again! Finally have a break from college so hopefully I can post a couple more chapters before the next classes start. Thank you to everyone who followed and faved the story! Also thank you to all who left reviews! I love hearing what each of you think! Now on with the story!
Love of a Lycan Ch. 6
The day of the champion selection was overall uneventful. The excited chatter of the students filled the halls. All the hopeful champions showed various degrees of nervousness, or in Kari's case complete nonchalance. Hermione and Harry sat with their classmates as they watched all the of age students submit their names into the goblet. Once Kari and Fleur entered their name they sat with the two Gryffindors to watch everyone else. The Weasley twins provided some entertainment with their failed attempt at fooling the age line only to end up looking as old as Dumbledore. Neville sat on the other side of Harry while Hermione found herself sitting in Fleur's lap with Kari sitting behind them with her legs on either side and her arms wrapped around both of their shoulders. "Eternal Glory and riches huh, sounds amazing. Wish I could try for that, but I don't think I'd make a good champion," the shy Gryffindor said. Harry smiled and patted his shoulder. "Better you than me. I'm perfectly happy to not be the center of attention and Merlin knows I don't need or want money," Harry chuckled. Hermione smiled sadly, knowing all to well what his life had been like just here at Hogwarts. It will certainly be nice to not have to worry about his health and safety this year. Let someone else put their life on the line for a change. Kari smiled at the young Gryffindors.
"Fame and glory are not what they appear to be. May sound great but honestly I think its a load of crap. Do any of you know who the previous Champion of the tournament is?" When the three of them shook their head Kari continued, "so much for that eternal glory huh?" They all chuckled at Kari's point. "The whole point of this tournament is for the schools to have bragging rights and gloat that they are the better school." Receiving nods of agreement they all returned their attention to the Goblet as the last of the foreign students submitted their names. Kari and Fleur each let out soft growls as the Bulgarian star, Victor Krum, stared at Hermione as he went back to his group. Hermione was slightly startled to hear and feel the growls coming from the two. That was definitely unusual. Once all the names were submitted the Hall served dinner to everyone. The tables all moved back into place and the students went to their chosen spots. The champions would be chosen at the end of the feast. The noise level seemed to be much higher than usual with all the excitement in the air. Everyone chatted about who they wanted to be champions, the twins were even taking bets on the selection.
As the last of the desserts were cleared, the tables were moved once again to the sides of the hall. Unfortunately this time Kari and Fleur had to go sit with their school mates for the choosing ceremony. Dumbledore dimmed the candle light silently, causing everyone to cease their discussions. The headmaster then began his speech about how each champion would face 3 tasks, and would not be allowed help from their teachers or classmates. When the Goblet suddenly flared a deep red and shot out a piece of parchment the Headmaster easily caught it, belaying his age, and looked at the name written on it. "For Durmstrang, the champion is," Dumbledore called out," Victor Krum!" The hall erupted into loud applause and whistles and shouts as the Bulgarian made his way to the antichamber off to the side behind the teachers sitting area. Shortly after his exit, the goblet flared to life again. "The Yataki champion is," the old man stalled, "Yuhiro Takashi!" The applause arose once again, though not nearly as boisterous as when Krum was chosen. The Japanese student made his was to join the Bulgarian in the antichamber. The Goblet flared red again, shooting out another piece of parchment. Dumbledore read with his dramatic flare, "the champion for Beauxbatons is, Fleur Delacour!" The reaction to the blonde's name was much different from the previous two names. While the males in the room cheered and whistled, Hermione could hear some very rude comments coming from several people and Fleur's own classmates seemed upset that she was chosen. Blimey some were even crying for Merlin's sake! Hermione, Kari, Harry and Neville seemed to be the only ones honestly happy for her to be chosen. Once the blonde was out of sight the next champion was chosen. Kari was the next to be sent to the antichamber, receiving praise from her peers, and loud applause from Hermione and her friends.
The Final champion, Hogwarts champion, was Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff. He received the greatest amount of cheers from Hogwarts. Once the final champion was sent into the back room Dumbledore began his speech again, reminding everyone of the rules. Midway through his speech, however, the goblet flared to life once more. Hermione immediately felt her stomach drop in dread. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Harry's face falling just like hers. This was not good. Dumbledore snatched the smoldering paper out of the air and stared for several seconds at it. "Harry Potter," he muttered before shouting, "HARRY POTTER!" Harry tried to hide behind Hermione, not wanting to acknowledge any of this was happening to him again. "Harry you have to go," the brunette said to him quietly. He shook his head, forcing Hermione to gently shove him towards the headmaster. "Harry, go! I will see what I can figure out about this I promise," she said as he finally walked towards the headmaster. The stares alone were brutal, Harry didn't dare say anything. Just as he reached the Dias where the old wizard stood, shouts about him being a cheater and not of age began to spring up out of the dead silence. Harry went down into the antichamber with the other champions silently. When the others noticed him the confusion was plain to see on their faces.
"Do they need us back Harry," Fleur asked him? He shook his head as the headmasters all came in yelling at each other. Harry quickly backed away from the commotion as Dumbledore headed straight for him. The old man grabbed Harry by the shoulders asking, "Harry did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire? Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?" To which Harry sincerely denied every time. The other school leaders, with the exception of Kari's headmistress, refused to believe him. Fleur was frowning as the adults continued to bicker amongst each other. She looked at Harry then toward Kari. The silver witch was watching the adults as well, without wavering. The blonde moved to stand beside Kari to quietly speak to her. "What do you think Ma Cherie?" Kari glanced at Fleur then over to Harry. "I think someone is playing a very dangerous game with Harry's life right now. He's going to need as much help as he can get to survive this."
Fleur stared at Kari in shock. "Why would someone want to endanger him though? He's just a little boy!" Kari turned sharp focused eyes onto the blonde. "Despite that, think of who he is to the British Magical world." The blonde felt herself begin to shake. "He never had a choice. They turned him into some grand hero over something that his mother did. So everyone who followed that dark wizard will look at Harry as the enemy and will want revenge." Fleur turned back towards the poor Gryffindor, finally taking in how terrified yet resigned he looked as the Ministry Officials declared that he had no choice but to compete. After Bagman and Crouch told all 6 champions that the first task would be a month away, Kari and Fleur made their way to Harry's side. Kari threw her arm around his shoulder and began leading him out into the hall with Fleur beside them. "How you doing Kiddo," Kari asked him. Harry just shrugged. "Just as I thought I'd actually have a normal year here something once again drags me into danger." His shoulders sagged under the weight of this realization and pressure. Kari frowned and hugged him tightly. "Don't worry Harry. We will help you and make sure you make it through this." Fleur nodded in agreement as Harry was floored by what they were saying. He was expecting the usual disdain and insults that usually came when he was accused of doing something. The two women walked with Harry all the way to Gryffindor tower before leaving with promises to see him and Hermione in the morning.
When Harry entered the tower, the tension was absolutely stifling. Hermione immediately wrapped Harry in a tight hug. "What'd they say Harry? Surely they can't make you compete! You're a minor! It just wouldn't be fair either considering that you are only a fourth year going against seventh years!" Harry just shook his head and sighed. Before he could say anything Ronald Weasley made his opinion known. "How'd you cheat Harry? You could've let your best mate know to give me a chance too, but no! Potter has to have all the fame and glory to himself doesn't he?" The two friends turned to look at the redhead. "Shove off Ron! I did not put my name in the Goblet. I bloody well want nothing to do with this tournament." Harry seethed before storming up the stairs to his dorm. Hermione followed suit in going to bed as well. Tomorrow was going to be a long day with this development. In fact the whole year was going to be a long one yet again.