I lost my beta, but recently found a new one. All unbeta'd chapters from here forward will be edited for SPaG errors and fixed.
"Weasley, straighten your hat," Professor McGonagall snapped at Ron as she and the other Heads of House were trying to bring order and presentability to the entire student body gathered in the entrance hall to greet the two arriving schools. "Miss. Patil, take that ridiculous thing out of your hair."
Evie grinned in satisfaction as Parvati glowered before pulling the ornamental butterfly clip from her hair and pocketing it.
Even though Fred and George had put her in a better mood earlier, Evie was still upset with Lavender and Parvati, whom she blamed for her entire horrible day. Especially since Potions had not been much better. Though they were able to leave a half hour earlier, Evie had experienced for the first time just how unbearable the class would be without her hair up in its usual ponytail. It had stuck to her forehead and cheeks as she sweated through making her potion.
It had been by the grace of Merlin that she'd managed to find her brush and hair band once she and Hermione had returned to their room to deposit their bags. Just as she'd originally suspected, her other two roommates had simply pushed them from the counter in order to make room for all of their beauty supplies. Evie had already made a mental note to pay them back for it. Perhaps she would hide Parvati's copy of Witch Weekly next time it came in.
"Follow me, please," Professor McGonagall ordered. "First years up front…no pushing."
Evie fell in line between Harry and Hermione as they filed down the steps and lined up in front of the castle. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and Evie found she could not tell if she was nervous, excited or some combination of the two. Her stomach was in knots, and a shiver ran down her spine as the cold night air brushed against her cheeks.
The waiting was the worst part. It was quiet, except the random mumbling of students who were unsure if it was alright to speak. For Evie, the atmosphere lent itself to a silent anticipation. Dusk fell upon them and saw a transparent looking moon begin to rise over the Forbidden Forest before there was any sign of their long awaited visitors.
On either side of her, Evie's friends were speculating on how the other two schools would arrive. She was too jittery to join the conversation, but in her mind she was also wondering how the other schools would travel. It also occurred to her that, if the other schools had ways of transporting large groups of students long distances, then Hogwarts must also have something set up for such an occasion.
Suddenly, Evie found herself wondering how Hogwarts would have transferred some of its students had one of the other schools been hosting the tournament instead. She highly doubted they would take the boats or horseless carriages. They were small and could not possibly carry students, luggage and still be comfortable. Not to mention, taking twenty odd boats or carriages was hardly practical.
Suddenly Dumbledore called her attention away from her pondering by announcing that Beauxbatons had arrived. When another student finally spotted their transportation, Evie looked on in awe.
"…it's a flying house!" Evie looked to see Colin Creevy's younger brother Dennis, whom she remembered as the boy who fell in the lake, informing his fellow first years of what he thought it was. She did have to hand it to the kid, he was closer than anyone else had been, including Harry and Ron.
In actuality, Beauxbatons had come in a flying carriage that was the size of a house. It was being pulled through the air by a dozen elephant sized winged horses. Evie knew almost nothing about horses, but she did know when something was beautiful, and these beige and white mane horses were beautiful. They were also, of course, far larger than any other winged horse, but that just meant that they were obviously Abraxan.
"They must be Abraxan," Hermione whispered beside her and Evie turned to smile at her friend. The kinship she felt when Hermione voiced a thought she'd just had always surprised her, even three years later.
"I was thinking the same." Then, realizing that horses were the type of animal Muggles might learn about she asked, "Do you know what sort of horses they are?"
"Palominos," Hermione answered without hesitation.
Quirking an eyebrow, Evie asked, "Do you know much about horses?"
"Only basic things, like popular breeds," She nodded to the winged palominos that were coming in for a landing. "And a few other tidbits I recall from my mum. She loves horses, always wanted one as a girl."
Their conversation ended there as the carriage landed with a loud bang and they both caught sight of the fiery red eyes of the horses. From the castle light Evie could see that the wings of the palominos were blue, which seemed to match with the colors of Beauxbatons. The boy who had jumped from the carriage was wearing pale blue robes; the majority of the carriage itself was blue with gold accents, such as the Beauxbatons school crest. It was far daintier than the Hogwarts crest and Evie wondered if the Beauxbatons students would look down their noses at them for being less extravagant and more practical.
The first to descend the golden steps the boy in the pale blue robes had released was a woman, obviously the Headmistress, and the Hogwarts student body could not help itself as they gasped when she had finally revealed herself to them. It was not the elegant black satin that draped her body, or the abundance of magnificent opals that hung from her neck and filled her fingers that caused the gasps either.
She was the largest woman Evie had ever laid eyes on. She might very well have been as tall as Hagrid. She was handsome enough with sleek black hair pulled into a tight bun at the nape of her neck and lovely olive skin. But the size of her, though she was not overweight, was all anyone could really focus on.
She seemed displeased as she eyed the awestruck crowd, and it wasn't until Dumbledore began a clap that the students hesitantly joined in on that a smile graced her lips. She strode to Dumbledore, who greeted her with a kiss on the hand and a compliment. This is how Evie learned the Headmistress' name was Madame Maxime. Her French accent was thick and she referred to Dumbledore as "Dumbly-dorr" which made Evie giggle silently into her hand and earned her an elbow from Hermione.
As Evie rubbed her aching side the students from Beauxbatons appeared from inside the carriage. They were every bit as fancy looking as Evie had expected, with their silk robes and delicate shawls. Not one of them had dressed practically for the coming winter. To further confirm her suspicions, some of them seemed to be looking up at Hogwarts in apprehension.
A irritated feeling warmed Evie's cheeks as she wondered, as she silently glared at the students that passed by her and made their way into the castle, how glamorous could Beauxbatons be for them to turn up their noses at her school.
As they went back to waiting most of the students were expecting Durmstrang to arrive the same way Beauxbatons had. Evie, however, had a feeling they would be showing off in an entirely different way. From what little she knew of the school she had a very hard time believing they would ever arrive in something so...pretty.
There were rumors Durmstrang put a big emphasis of Dark Arts, so Evie expected a horse drawn carriage, even if the horses had red eyes, was not that school's style. Then Lee Jordan shouted that something was happening in the lake.
Everyone turned to watch as the smooth black surface of the lake was suddenly disturbed and a whirlpool began spinning as though the lake were somehow being drained. In the middle of the whirlpool rose a giant ship. By its appearance Evie could only think to call it a ghost ship, for it had a slightly ethereal and definitively dead feel to it. Looking at the Durmstrang ship made her uncomfortable.
The anchor dropped and was followed by a plank. Then a line a students descended, all of them the same size as Crabbe and Goyle. Evie gulped thinking of what she knew of the school. This line of students was probably a line of more intelligent versions of the oafs that followed Malfoy around.
As the group continued to move forward into the light of the castle Evie realized they weren't actually as burly as they seemed, they just happened to be in thick fur coats. She almost thunked herself over the head for not considering that they must have to wear coats like that in the north, which was the only location anyone could discern for the school.
When the Headmaster stepped into the light he was not what Evie had been expecting. His voice, as he greeted Dumbledore, was full and rich. His hair was white and short and he had a goatee that was finished with a curl. When he smiled up at Hogwarts he revealed yellow teeth, and it wasn't until that moment that the two ideas that had just presented themselves in Evie's mind finally seemed to click. In that moment she realized that while the smile graced his lips it did not reach his eyes. They were dark and cold and she could finally see how this man, who seemed to put on an air of charm but inside remain cold and callous, could be associated with the school know for its Dark Arts practices.
As Karkaroff and Dumbledore continued their formalities he beckoned forward one of this students and Evie's heart jumped into her throat.
"Harry, that's Krum!"
She could hear Ron explaining excitedly but she couldn't find the part of her brain that allowed her to speak. It was a sudden affliction, much like the one that had come over her at the World Cup when the players had entered the very box she had been sitting in. Then he was gone, and suddenly she could speak again, she just didn't want to.
All around her the students of Hogwarts were gushing over the arrival of Viktor Krum. Some sixth year girls were fighting to grab a tube of lipstick from each other so they could ask him to sign various body parts with it. Ron was gushing just as bad as the girls were and Evie could only think that if Oliver had been there that year he would have trampled many people to get to Krum. Reassessing the situation as she and her friends sat at their table, Evie resolved to not be one of those drooling fan girls.
Was it impressive that Viktor Krum played in the World Cup representing his country while still being in school? Absolutely. But was he really the best Seeker in the world? Debatable, but still quite possible. Would it be amazing to manage to get his autograph? There was no doubt that all of her fellow students would envy her greatly if she did. Was she going to stoop to mindless drooling and attempted fondling in order to get it? Absolutely not. Evie had more dignity than that. She probably wouldn't even bother to ask him for the autograph. Not to mention, she'd been very adamant to both Ron and Fred before the World Cup that Krum wasn't nearly as great as everyone thought he was. She would never live it down if she suddenly started trying desperately to get his autograph. She couldn't even use the excuse of getting it for Cedric since he was there and could ask for it himself if he wanted an autograph.
Shaking her mind free of that thought process, Evie finally had the chance to look around and see where the other two schools had sat themselves. Durmstrang was planted at the Slytherin table, with Krum sitting right across from Malfoy. She was not surprised they had made that choice, but she didn't like that Malfoy would have bragging rights for a while.
Beauxbatons had set itself up at the Ravenclaw table looking around glumly at the Great Hall. Evie was positive in that moment that she would not be enjoying the Beauxbatons students. All her fears were being proven with each moment that she glared at them. They were turning their noses up at her school. Just because Hogwarts wasn't frilly and dainty didn't mean they were any less worthy of respect from those prissy snobs. If the Durmstrang students could be impressed with Hogwarts why wasn't it good enough for the Beauxbatons lot?
Evie didn't get much more time to glare at the Beauxbatons students because the professors entered and situated themselves and Dumbledore began a speech. She turned her attention to him, expecting that there would be some further explanation about the Triwizard Tournament as the students had been promised since the other two schools had arrived.
Instead he just welcomed the schools. But when he said he hoped their stay would be comfortable and enjoyable, one of the three Beauxbatons girls still clutching a shawl to her head let out a derisive laugh. Evie felt the hatred bubbling up in her gut. She almost stood up and told the girl that if she didn't like it she could sod off because they didn't want her there anyway. However she realized that that would not make her school look any better and kept quiet.
When the food arrived Evie noticed that the House elves had prepared some special things for their guests. Ron didn't seem as excited to try the new dishes however.
"What is that?" He looked over the shellfish stew with a scrunched nose.
"It's Bouillabaisse," Hermione explained.
"Bless you," Ron nodded. Evie snorted. Harry tried to hold in a laugh.
"It's French," Hermione began explaining, but Ron was having none of that. He decided to just stick to what he knew. Evie, on the other hand, did try the dish and found it quite delicious.
About twenty minutes into the meal the Beauxbatons girl that had laughed during Dumbledore's speech walked up to their table to ask for their Bouillabaisse. She had finally removed her head coverings and it was revealed that she was a very attractive girl with long silvery-blonde hair that fell to her waist and big, blue eyes. Her accent was thick and it caused her trouble every time she tried to pronounce the 'th' noise. It instead came out sounding like a z.
"Actually, no I'm –" Evie began for no other reason than to keep it from her. She would have finished the sentence had Ron not stamped on her foot.
"Yeah, take it," Harry answered instead and Evie glared at him like he was a traitor. Then Evie watched as Ron, purple faced and near drooling, ogled the girl all the way back to the Ravenclaw table.
When she was gone Evie punched Ron hard in the arm, pulling him from his trance. "What the hell, Ronald?"
"She's a Veela!" He declared, rubbing his arm as though he didn't really feel it.
"Of course she isn't," Hermione snapped.
"And even if she is, that's not a good enough reason for you to stomp on my bloody foot!" Evie bit out.
Still ignoring her Ron asserted, "I'm telling you, that girl is not normal."
Their conversation about girls didn't last very long, because Hermione had turned everyone's attention back to the staff table. Ludo Bagman and Mr. Crouch, to the chagrin of Evie and Hermione, had just arrived and were sitting in the two empty seats at the staff table.
When dinner had finally finished Dumbledore stood again. The hall fell quite much quicker than it ever had before. Fred and George were giving Dumbledore so much attention they had begun leaning forward in their seats. Dumbledore introduced Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman. Then he went through explaining a bit more about the tournament. They learned that Crouch and Bagman would make up the remainder of the judging panel, and that there would be three tasks for the Champions to complete. With each statement somehow the crowd managed to get quieter.
Then he had Filch bring forth a jewel incrusted casket and they finally learned how the Champions would be chosen, The Goblet of Fire. Evie was shocked to find she was almost completely disappointed with the actual reveal of the goblet. It was, in practically every way, quite anticlimactic. The goblet was a simplistically carved wooden cup. The only thing that made anyone look twice at it was that it was full to the brim with dancing blue and white flames.
Champion hopefuls were given twenty-four hours to place their names in the goblet, which would be placed in the entrance hall all night. On Halloween, the very next night, the Goblet would decide which three students would be champions for their schools. Dumbledore then explained that an age line would be what prevented any underage students from entering the competition.
Fred and George started planning for how to get past the Age Line immediately as the group walked towards the entrance hall. Their eyes glinted mischievously. Hermione tried to talk them out of it, but they were adamant. Going so far as to try to rope Harry in as well, but when he was asked if he'd try Harry didn't answer. At first Evie thought he was politely trying to say he wouldn't, but as his eyes glazed over she began to doubt that she was right.
Ron ignored their conversation altogether, searching desperately for new ways to be closer to Krum. He got his wish when they all paused to let Karkaroff and the Durmstrang group pass the door to head back to their ship, which was where they would be sleeping.
The group almost passed with little acknowledgement to the four friends, but Karkaroff did a triple take when he saw Harry. There was a pregnant pause as he stared. Evie was once again reminded of just how well known her friend was. She often found his fame weird. She had, of course, grown up with the stories of Harry Potter defeating the bastard who was responsible for her mother's death, and admittedly she'd been star struck for about ten minutes when she'd met him. But then Harry had opened his mouth and she had realized he was just Harry, an annoying eleven year old who didn't even understand his own significance. Slowly she'd come to sort of forget he was famous and caused people to be star struck sometimes, especially since he could hardly get through his homework alone.
"Yeah, that's Harry Potter," Moody called from behind Karkaroff.
There was a moment between the two where it became painfully apparent that they knew each other from somewhere and were far from friendly. It was, uncomfortable to say the least. Evie thought about Durmstrang's reputation and wondered if that had something to do with how Moody and Karkaroff knew each other. She received no answers that night. Karkaroff swept his student away and she and her friends quickly made their way to their own common room and to bed.
Evie did not sleep well that night. Her dreams were marred with nightmarish scenarios in which Cedric became champion and was immediately mauled by all sorts of dangerous beasts. She was ashamed to admit at one point the beast mauling him was a werewolf. She awoke sweating and guilty. She almost had the urge to write Professor Lupin a letter and apologize for her subconscious depiction.
When she finally got up for the day to say she was not at her best would have been an understatement. When Hermione greeted her as chipper as ever Evie could only nod. She was grateful to find her best friend changed her attitude at once, seeming to understand the emotions swirling through Evie at that moment.
By the time the quartet made their way down to breakfast with the rest of the unusually large Saturday morning crowd the Goblet of Fire was set up. It was sitting in the middle of the entrance hall on the stool that usually held the Sorting Hat. Some twenty odd people were milling around the unassuming wooden goblet like it might do something fascinating at any moment. A few held the remnants of their breakfast; others were just watching and waiting. A thin gold line formed a circle ten feet around.
Walking over to join the crowd, they were informed by a third year that all of Durmstrang had put their names in. Harry made a comment about how he would have put his name in last night after everyone went to bed in case the Goblet coughed the name right back out, then there was a laugh coming from behind them and they turned to find Fred, George, and their best friend Lee Jordan rushing down the stairs triumphantly.
"Done it," Fred smiled at the four of them. "We just took it."
"Took what?" Ron asked.
"The Aging Potion," George rolled his eyes. "A drop each."
"We're going to split the thousand Galleons if one of us wins," Lee was smiling.
"I'm not sure that's –" Hermione started, but Evie grabbed her arm to cut her off mid-sentence. When Hermione looked at her in confusion, Evie smiled and shook her head.
"Aren't you the least bit curious as to what happens when younger students try to cross the line?"
"What if they succeed?" Hermione reprimanded.
"Do you really think they're going to?" Evie gave Hermione a pointed look. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "Besides it's too late to stop them now," Evie pointed to where Fred, and then George had crossed the Age Line.
They watched as a sizzling noise filled the hall and then the twins were thrown from the circle. They flew a good ten feet away and landed painfully on the floor. Evie cringed a bit at sound. Hermione began to turn to point out that she had been right when a popping noise brought their attention back to the twins, who had just acquired matching long white beards.
The hall erupted into fits of laughter. Hermione turned to Evie red-faced from laughing so hard. "You were right. This is much better than stopping them." Evie could not speak; all she could manage was a nod as she continued laughing.
When Fred and George had run off to the Hospital Wing arguing, and Lee had followed behind laughing so hard he could hardly walk, Evie and her friends finally made their way to the Great Hall for food. The decor was no longer showing off the school. As it was Halloween, Hogwarts was decorated accordingly with live bats and carved pumpkins. They ended up sitting next to Dean and Seamus, who were discussing who might enter.
"There's a rumor the Warrington might enter," Dean told them once they were seated and eating. "He's that big Slytherin who looks like a sloth."
Evie turned to see Warrington. He did indeed look rather sloth like and dimwitted. She highly doubted the Goblet would pick him. Though he was a Quidditch player and that could mean he wasn't as dimwitted as he looked. Then again, he wasn't very good at it.
"We can't have a Slytherin champion!" Harry nearly shouted.
"All the Hufflepuffs are talking about Diggory," Seamus seemed to speak before he realized what he was saying. His face instantly went from one of contempt to one of embarrassment.
Evie rounded on him instantly. "I take it you won't be supporting my brother, Finnigan?"
"Well, I mean…of course I would if he was picked, I just…" Seamus looked around for help but Dean seemed too busy trying not to laugh and Harry and Ron were staring at Evie in fear. "I just think it might be nice to have a Gryffindor enter as well." His explanation fizzled out in desperation. His face was positively red and Evie couldn't help the smirk that bloomed on her lips as she watched how he squirmed.
"You seem to have traded explosions for a new hobby," She stated simply. When Seamus looked at her confused she answered his unasked question. "Putting your foot in your mouth. You really should come up with better hobbies, Seamus; I'd hate to have to curse that pretty face."
Seamus gulped, then muttered something about seeing them all later and rushed off. Dean, still laughing, followed with a jovial wave. When they were gone Evie could feel her own face growing hot as she realized that she's just told Seamus his face was pretty. She desperately hoped he did not notice that part.
"Oh, don't be too miffed, Evie," Ron said, misinterpreting her red face. "You know Seamus didn't mean anything by what he said."
Hermione was smiling knowingly at her friend as she looked back up. Evie hated that smile, but she also really wanted Hermione to bring it up so she didn't have to. Before their conversation went any further, however, a cheer could be heard outside the Hall and they turned to see Angelina Johnson walking in smiling but blushing.
"Well I've done it. Just put my name in!" She smiled as she sat down on Harry's other side.
"I didn't know you were seventeen already." Harry turned to her.
"I had my birthday last week."
"Well it's nice to see someone from Gryffindor entering," Hermione smiled diplomatically.
"Yeah, good luck, Angelina," Evie added.
"Thanks," Angelina smiled, completely missing the shocked looks Evie received from both Harry and Ron.
They finished breakfast quickly after that and then left the Great Hall to loiter around the Goblet, watching random upperclassmen enter their names. Then an usually large group of Hogwarts students caught their attention. In the center of the group was Cedric. Evie's stomach knotted up immediately.
Cedric scanned the Entrance Hall and when he saw her he smiled and held up a small scrap of paper. Evie was unable to move. She only managed a forced smile in return. Pushed forward by the crowd of adoring Hufflepuffs, Cedric crossed the Age Line and placed his name in the Goblet. There was a loud cheer, and Evie felt the weight of a hand on her shoulder.
"He's a very intelligent and capable wizard, Evie." Turning to Hermione's reassuring face, Evie tried to smile with confidence but couldn't quite manage it.
"He probably won't get it anyway," Ron offered. Harry and Hermione both turned to glare at Ron. "What?"
"What do you guys want to do today?" Evie sighed. She knew Ron was just trying to be helpful, but nothing was going to make her feel better at the moment.
"We haven't seen Hagrid in a while," Harry shrugged. After a bit of teasing about his Blast-Ended Skrewts the quartet made their way down to Hagrid's Hut.
When Hagrid opened the door the group got quite a surprise. He was dressed up, or at least that's what Evie thought he might be doing. He was wearing a hairy brown suit, an orange and yellow checkered tie, and his hair was slicked down in two giant bunches with what appeared to be grease. The quartet was at a loss for words for a moment before Hermione spoke up and brought them all back to their sense.
Inside the hut was homey as usual. Hagrid's was one of Evie's favorite places at Hogwarts, even though it was often home to not only the gentle giant and his cowardly dog, but also some of the most dangerous magical creatures in the world. Inside the one room hut was usually untouched by Hagrid's dangerous pets, though.
Hagrid was in a very excited mood. He seemed just as infatuated as the students with the tournament. He was definitely more excited than most of the professors. Evie's plan to be distracted was failing miserably. After a while of listening to Harry, Ron and Hermione try to get Hagrid to tell them what the tasks were, she finally decided to leave.
"Yer goin'?" Hagrid asked sadly.
"Yeah, I've got loads of homework to do." She tried to laugh it off, but it sounded fake even to her ears.
"Evie, I've known yeh three years now. Wha's goin' on? Yer not soundin' like yerself," Hagrid pressed.
"Evie's brother has put his name in the Goblet." Harry explained.
"Oh tha's it, is it?" Hagrid looked at Evie knowingly. "Yer worried 'bout yer brother?" Evie nodded. "Evie, I've watched yeh fight all sorts o' beasts fer three years now. Yeh've always come ou' the other end stronger than ever. An' yer brother is jus' as smart. I've seen 'em. Don' you worry, I know wha' them tasks are, and I'm sure he'll be jus' fine."
Feeling a little better, Evie accepted the hug Hagrid was offering. She always felt so very small around Hagrid, and getting a hug from him was like getting a hug from a giant teddy bear. Or, at that very moment, a giant, hairy teddy bear that smelled like some weird musky cologne.
By the time the group left Hagrid's it was getting dark and dinner was fast approaching. None of them wanted to miss the Halloween feast, or the choosing of the Champions. Evie was a ball of nerves the whole way to the Great Hall. While everyone was still settling into seats she walked towards the Hufflepuff table. Spotting Cedric was easy, but making her way to him was hard. Her legs moved shakily and her palms were sweaty. She tried to calm her nerves before she actually caught his attention.
"H-hey!" Evie smiled.
"Hey," Cedric answered, turning to greet her. "So, this is it."
"Yeah," Evie was at a loss for words for a moment. "Good luck, not that you need it."
"Evie, I know you're worried," Cedric raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah, but I'm also being supportive. Remember, you said that's what you wanted."
"But you don't have to lie to me."
"I can lie and be supportive or I can be honest and it's going to get really unsupportive rather quickly."
"Alright, lying is good," Cedric joked. Evie didn't laugh though. "I'm going to be fine. You have to trust me."
"I do trust you."
"Good, then don't forget to cheer when they call my name." At this Evie did chuckle a little.
"Yeah, alright. Don't get cocky now, or it'll be really embarrassing if they don't call your name."
Cedric laughed. "Alright, you better get seated the feast is about to begin."
Evie hardly ate anything the entire feast. She mostly just pushed food around her plate. Part way through Seamus slid up to her and caught her attention. "Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean to –"
"Seamus, don't worry about it. I was just messing with you," Evie smiled, cutting him off from having to apologize further. Seamus sighed in relief. He then smiled, nodded and slid back to his spot next to Dean.
"You've really got a thing for all the Irishmen, haven't you?" Hermione whispered so Harry and Ron wouldn't hear.
Evie blushed crimson. "Shuddup," she mumbled. Hermione just smiled.
By the end of dinner the Goblet of Fire was sitting near Dumbledore. Or perhaps it had been there all night and Evie had been too nervous to notice. Fred and George showed up for dinner beard free, but a bit sulky. They were clearly hoping that Angelina's name was pulled. At the Head's table Hagrid was flirting with Madame Maxime. Suddenly his ridiculous outfit made perfect sense.
When the plates finally disappeared Evie wished there were at least three more courses. But Dumbledore stood and signaled it was time to find out who the champions would be. There was a tense and excited silence in the Hall.
"Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision," Dumbledore began. Then he explained, in the remaining minute the Goblet needed, what the Champions were to do when their names were called. Then, with a great sweeping motion, Dumbledore extinguished all the candles except the ones in the giant carved pumpkins. The brightest light in the hall became the Goblet, which let off a creepy bluish-white glow.
In an instant, the flames inside the Goblet turned red and sparks flew. From the flames a charred piece of parchment was spat into the air. The hall was filled with shocked gasps. Evie held her breath. Dumbledore caught the piece of paper easily and read it aloud by the light of the flames, which were blue again.
"The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum." Applause rang out in the hall, though Evie was sure nobody was surprised by that choice.
When the clapping had died down and Krum had disappeared behind the door where the champions were supposed to wait for their next instructions, the Goblet turned red once more. Another name was shot forth and once again Dumbledore caught it.
"The champion for Beauxbatons will be Fleur Delacour." The girl who had annoyed Evie the night before and turned Ron into a drooling fool stood from the Ravenclaw table. Evie rolled her eyes, but then smiled at the mess the rest of the Beauxbatons students were upon realizing they would not be representing their school.
Once Fleur had also disappeared and the cheers had once again died down, there was a pause before the last name came forth. The pause felt like an eternity for Evie. Her heart hammered against her ribcage. Her breathing became labored and her hands were shaking slightly. Anybody else might mistake her for being the one with a name in the Goblet.
The red flames started again and the final name popped out. "The champion for Hogwarts will be," Evie stopped breathing. "Cedric Diggory."
The contradiction between how she'd felt up until that point and how she felt in the moment were startling. The contradiction of feelings that were enveloping her in that very moment were startling. She was terrified, but even through that terror she felt pride. Evie was proud that the Goblet felt her brother was worthy of being the Hogwarts champion. She was proud, scared and overwhelmed as the Hufflepuff cheers shook the hall the entire time Cedric made the long walk to the door for the champions.
When the cheers from the Hufflepuff table finally calmed down Dumbledore began speaking again. "We now have our three champions. I'm sure I can count on all of you to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on –"
Suddenly the Goblet's flames turned red again. The entire hall froze in shock and confusion. Even Dumbledore didn't seem to understand what was going on as another charred piece of parchment flew from the mouth of the Goblet. Automatically Dumbledore reached forth and grabbed the paper. The hall was silent as they watched Dumbledore stare at whatever name was written on it. Then, as though not seeing what else he could do, Dumbledore read out the name.
"Harry Potter."