Student: Michael Corner
Prompt: Pomp
Corner, Michael
Michael didn't really understand everyone's obsession with the Triwizard Tournament. Yes, there was international bonding time, but the tournament itself was somewhat sickening. Three teenagers, in this case four, were sent to what could possibly be their deaths. And for what? Money. Sure, there were many precautions put into place, but even Albus Dumbledore can't foresee everything bad that could happen.
First there had been the dragons. They had students fight dragons. Michael had looked around at everyone cheering, and suddenly had felt like the only sane person in the entire arena. Did none of them realize that someone could actually die? Was society really returning to such barbaric pleasures? That's why Michael loved Quidditch. It was controlled and mostly safe.
Then there had been the task in the lake. Michael was almost convinced that Harry had drowned. He thought for a moment that the crowd had realized what their need for entertainment had caused. But then Harry emerged, just like it seemed he always did. The crowd cheered. Had there ever been any doubt?
And now they were at the maze. The champions were about to enter a dark labyrinth with untold dangers. Michael looked around at all the celebrations and frowned. He felt like he had entered the ancient Roman Colosseum and was waiting for the gladiators to fight to the death. Utterly disgusted with the crowd around him, Michael got up and began leaving the stands.
"Michael? Where are you going?" asked Cho, one of his best friends, "Don't you want to watch Cedric?"
"I'm going back to the castle. I can't stand being a part of this-" he searched for the word and grimaced. "Pomp. If somebody dies tonight, I can honestly say I had no part in celebrating the thing that caused their death." He left a stunned Cho in the stands, and returned to the safety of Ravenclaw Tower.
When the Tournament had ended and he found out about Cedric, he wasn't surprised that he was the first person Cho ran to for comfort. The pomp had disappeared, leaving bitterness and death in its wake, just like Michael had thought.
The idea of the tournament had always sickened me... I hope you liked it. Please reveiw!
~SlytherLynn