Ch. 6 The Champions

Lily flung her books onto her bed and then plopped down on the covers too. She was exhausted between the start of her fifth year classes to practice, all Lily wanted to do was curl up in her bed and sleep for a whole day. But she couldn't do that. Tonight was the beginning of the Triwizard Tournament. Both schools would arrive in the Great Hall tonight and the Champions' names would be drawn.

And what made matters worse was that Lily hadn't heard back from Kevin this whole week. His last letter came last Friday. She didn't know what was keeping him. She had asked her mother and Ginny told her they hadn't received a letter from Kevin. All Lily could do was reassure herself that muggle mail was slow.

Lily heard the door of her dorm room open and in walked Alice Longbottom. Alice and Lily had been friends since they were babies. Next to Hugo, Alice was Lily's best friend. By the way Alice look she also seemed to be tired or it could be frustration. Lily was too sleepy to tell. "What's wrong, Alice?"

"Ugh, just my father. Does he not realize I am a teenager girl who would like to date a boy in the near future and I would appreciate it if he chose not to shout his love to his only daughter in front of a hallway of students? I'm convinced he does it on purpose. If he embarrasses me enough then no boy will ever date me. Ugh." Lily was convinced now her look was frustration.

"Hey, it could be worse. You could have Al and James as your brothers and they just frighten boys away. At least James isn't here anymore. Don't worry, Alice," Lily went to sit with her friend, "boys like you. They are just too stupid at this age to know any better. That's why I'm happy Kevin is two years older than me. It makes me think he's more mature."

Alice responded, "Oh, that's right. I forgot you went out and found yourself a boyfriend who doesn't go to Hogwarts. Is he a muggle?"

"Yes he is. And he doesn't know about magic or anything about my family. It's nice to have someone like me and isn't just attracted to my last name." It was true. Since Kevin wasn't magical he didn't know anything about the Wizarding War Heroes named Potter or Weasley. "Cheer up, Alice. Besides tonight there will be more guys to choose from considering the tournament begins tonight. So, fresh meat! Let's get ready to go downstairs. I'm getting hungry."

Al and Scorpius made their way out of the portrait hole and to the Great Hall. Al wanted to be chosen for the tournament instead of Lily and he figured he had a good shot. The Goblet of Fire knew the Potter name was legendary right? It had already once drawn a Potter out and this time it would be legal.

"So, do you think the Cup will pick you? How many students want to go into the contest?" Scorpius asked his friend. He knew how strong Al felt about Lily being the Hogwarts Champion and if he was honest, he didn't want Lily to go in either. That's why Scorpius secretly put his name into the Cup. He figured he was one more person to take away the chances of Lily being picked. It would also afford him the opportunity to bring a good spotlight to the Malfoy name.

"I hope so. I am the Gryffindor quidditch captain and insanely good at everything I do. How am I not the best person the Goblet could pick?" Both Al and Scorpius laughed. Clearly Albus Severus Potter didn't need an ego boost. "And either way, we're going to see beautiful veela girls tonight. Can't get much better than that. My uncle married a veela girl. Maybe I'll get as lucky."

The two boys continued to laugh as their walked to their House table and sat down. They were soon joined by Hugo, Alice and Lily.

"I just wanted to let you all know that I also put my name in the Goblet. I figured Dad would be proud," Hugo turned a bright shade of red as he told his family. He wasn't sure how they would take it.

"Well, I think you'll make a great Champion if you're picked," chimed in a brunette girl. Hugo blushed an even brighter shade of red as he heard Gwen Wood give him a compliment. He just muttered back, "Thank you."

"Ha, I'm sure the Goblet doesn't know what to do with all these great family members in the running. I just hope Albus has had the good sense to see reason and be happy if I'm picked," Lily glared at her brother. He simply returned a nod and went back to talking with Scorpius.

It seemed most of the students had arrived in the Great Hall and Professor McGonagall took to the podium again.

"Students, thank you for your patience as we begin our night. Before I welcome the other schools into the room, you surely notice the extra tables and for obvious reasons we needed to add them. I expect you to welcome our guests with gratitude and warmth.

"Now, I have the extreme honor to welcome back an old friend. I would like to introduce Madame Olympe Maxime from Beauxbaton and her students." A large group of students in pastel blue suits flittered into the room. The ladies were absolutely beautiful and Madame Maxime towered over them all. They moved to their designated table.

"Next we have the pleasure to welcome back a former Triwizard Champion and Quidditch star Headmaster Viktor Krum and the students from Durmstrang Institute." And even bigger, more in size than numbers, group of students in grey coats entered the room. Every girl in the room could be heard swooning over superstar Viktor Krum.

"Students, we have a surprise for you. Traditional the Triwizard Tournament has been held between our three schools. However this year we have added a fourth Champion to the mix. Before you go guessing as to who will be picked, we have decided to open the Tournament to another school. So please let me welcome Headmaster Diana Link and the students from Salem Institute in Salem, Massachusetts, Boston in the United States of America." A hush fell over the students as the group walked through the door. The mix of boys and girls was split even. The boys were wearing white pants and suit coats while the girls wore a white skirt instead of pants. The students had never seen the American school and this new element seemed to surprise the students from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang as well.

"As everyone takes their seats, I invite the Headmasters to join me as we prepare for the Goblet of Fire to draw the names of our Champions." All three of the other Headmasters joined Professor McGonagall at the podium. Headmaster Link was a tall and slender woman. She wore her brown hair short and smiled broadly.

Professor McGonagall proceeded, "We will first draw the Champion from Beauxbaton." The Goblet blew fire and out came a piece of parchment. "The Champion is…Loren Fluerissant." Every student turned to look towards the Beauxbaton table as a tall young girl with blonde hair stepped forward. She reminded Lily of her Aunt Fluer.

"Now for Durmstrang. The Champion is…Marko Gruev." A stout and tall dark haired boy emerged from the crowd and made his way to the front. Marko appeared solid and assuredly a strong favorite to win.

"And for the host school Hogwarts, the Champion is…"

Lily and Al both thought the same exact this. 'Pick me. Pick me. Pick me.'

"Scorpius Malfoy." Every single Gryffindor head turned towards the blonde boy. Scorpius couldn't believe it. He stood up silently and walked to the front.

Lily leaned over to whisper to Al, "Did he tell you he entered?" Al shook his head. He had no idea his friend wanted to be Champion.

"Now for Salem. The Champion is…Thomas Williams."

Lily barely heard the name. She was still in shock over Scorpius, but she looked to the boy who walked towards the front and got a good look. Lily assumed her mind was playing a trick on her because there was no way that the last boy who walked up was real. How was Kevin there at Hogwarts!

A/N: Dun, Dun, Dun. Cliffhanger!