Chapter 4
Entering the Tournament
The week prior to the arrival of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons flew by, at least for Sophie. On the morning of October thirtieth she still hadn't made a decision about entering the tournament. Rumors about who was going to enter had spread around the school more quickly than Spattergoit and the Ravenclaw House was still anxious for one of their number to join the list of students most likely to enter.
"Someone from our house has to at least take the chance," Torin whined, looking around the group for the faces that agreed with him; there were plenty.
"I've heard that bloke, Warrington, from Slytherin is going to enter," Aaralyn offered to the conversation with a pointed look. She threw a look at Sophie in anticipation for Torin's reaction.
"You're joking? If that brainless idiot is chosen as school champion we won't stand a chance. Come on now, we can do better than that! Ravenclaw has to enter someone, and if I could be that person I would," he replied, speaking so loudly that a couple of younger students craned their necks over the couch to peer at him.
Another boy, who hadn't spoken for some time, and was seated across the table from Torin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Listen here; I agree with Torin in saying that we cannot give chance to having a Slytherin represent the school in this tournament." He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. The group almost collectively leaned toward him, hoping that he was going to say what they thought he would.
"Go on get on with it, Merek!" shrieked Aaralyn, who could not stand the tension any longer.
"I've giving this a lot of thought and I will be submitting my name for the tournament," he said calmly.
The words were hardly out of his mouth when the common room erupted with cheers. Merek turned a bright shade of red as Torin gave a whoop that nearly turned over the table.
"Well done, Merek," Torin said happily, clapping him on the shoulder. "You're a real champ."
Sophie grinned as she soaked up the excitement of the moment. It was true, Merek probably was the best candidate from Ravenclaw, but she couldn't help but think that she had the skills to succeed. It seemed however that as more and more names of those interested was thrown around, Sophie felt her chances of being chosen growing slimmer. The names among the rumors all seemed to be relatively athletic students, mostly boys, who played for their house Quidditch teams. She also kept Cedric's concern for her tucked in the back of her mind; for her this was the most important factor of all.
"Wow! I can't believe Merek is going to enter," Aaralyn said to her after the larger group dispersed.
"Aaralyn, have you thought at all about entering the tournament?" Sophie asked.
"Well, yes. Haven't we all?"
"No, I mean seriously considered it?"
"Yeah," she said slowly, nodding. "Have you?"
Sophie nodded. "I'm still not set on anything yet."
"I'm not quite either," Aaralyn replied. "It's a tough decision, isn't it?"
"Yes, it really is."
"We've got a few more days to think about it though."
"That's what I'm worried about."
The students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons arrived in spectacular fashion on the evening of October thirtieth, and soon after they were all gathered in the Great Hall for a welcoming feast. For whatever reason, the delegates from Beauxbatons Academy elected to sit at the Ravenclaw table, which drew the interest of many of the students in the house. The feast was extraordinary as always, and a few new dishes had been added to accommodate their guests. These items mostly went untouched by the Ravenclaw students, many of whom had eyed them suspiciously.
When everyone had filled their stomachs to capacity, Professor Dumbledore stood from his seat to announce the beginning of the Triwizard Tournament. Through the great oak doors, as if on cue, Mr. Filch carried an old wooden casket. Every pair of eyes in the room followed him as he lugged the mysterious object to the front of the room. After Filch had set it down, Dumbledore brandished his wand and gave it a tap. A great golden chalice, glowing bright with the blue flames from its bowl, rose through the top of the casket.
"Following the feast, the goblet will be placed in the Entrance Hall. All students who are of age will be able to submit their names for the tournament at anytime from the end of the feast until this time tomorrow. Tomorrow the champions for each house will be selected," Dumbledore said, looking around the room with a smile. "An Age Line will be drawn around the Goblet in order to ensure no underage students enter."
Sophie glanced around. A few faces had dropped with this announcement, but others looked like they were in deep thought, looking for a scam that would get them into the tournament.
"Off to bed we go then," Dumbledore said with a wave of his hand in conclusion of the evening's festivities.
Lost in her own thoughts, Sophie hardly paid any attention to what was going on around her as she walked back to the common room. People were talking enthusiastically about the Goblet of Fire and those who had been rumored to enter their names. Making a beeline for her dormitory, Sophie was glad to get away from all the noise.
Sophie was lying on her bed, reading a section from her Charms book when Aaralyn burst into the room. She looked winded, but had a wide grin on her face. Throwing herself on the end of Sophie's bed, she took in a few deep breaths.
"Is something the matter, Aaralyn?" Sophie asked, sitting up and watching her friend carefully.
"I just," she started, but had to gulp in more air before continuing. "I just put my name in the Goblet."
"Did you really?" Sophie replied, her eyes widening.
"Yes, I did. But I wasn't the only one."
"Who else?" Sophie coaxed, but the pointed look on Aaralyn's face had already given it away.
"There was some boy from Gryffindor whose name I can't remember," she replied, frowning a bit, "Warrington, from Slytherin, and Cedric. He put his name in right before I did."
Sophie nodded, absorbing the idea that Cedric had really entered his name.
"You okay, Sophie?" Aaralyn asked, picking herself up off the bed.
"Oh, yeah." Sophie breathed with a forced grin. Cedric had just put his name in the Goblet of Fire – it was official. Aaralyn had just put her name in. What would her decision be? She took a moment and considered the options; soon it became quite clear as to what she was going to do. She wouldn't enter. If either Cedric or Aaralyn was chosen as champion, Sophie wanted to be able to cheer and support them without any negative feelings for not having been the one chosen. She cared for her friends too much to risk any feelings of resentment toward their heartfelt choice to enter such a distinguished completion.
"I think it's absolutely amazing that you put your name in, Aara!" Sophie exclaimed after reaching her decision. "I reckon you're the first girl to enter. It would be fantastic if you represented Hogwarts."
Aaralyn looked quizzically over her shoulder. "Thanks, Sophie. I appreciate that. I know you'll be pulling for Cedric as well. He would be an excellent choice too. Did you know he was entering?"
"Yeah, he told me about a week ago. It wasn't much of a shock to be honest. He is meant to do great things." Sophie grinned. "Really though, Aaralyn, I think it would nice to see a girl out there, especially one from Ravenclaw! You're really giving Merek a run for his galleons."
The two girls strolled down to breakfast late the next morning. It seemed the rest of the school had risen early to watch the progress of the Goblet. Sitting down at their table, they were immediately informed that Merek had in fact put his name in just a few minutes earlier.
"Good luck, Merek!" Sophie called down the table to where he was sitting. He gave a wave in response. As she began piling food on her plate, Aaralyn leaned over and whispered, sounding slightly disappointed,
"Rumor has it that Angelina Johnson submitted her name in the Goblet earlier this morning. So, I guess I'm not the only Hogwarts girl.
Sophie shrugged. "Oh well. There is plenty of competition and excellent candidates for the champion. It will be a difficult selection, I am sure."
Quite suddenly, and without warning, Aaralyn's elbow made significant contact with Sophie's ribcage. Wincing and rubbing her side, Sophie growled, "What was that for?"
"There he is – just next to Adrian Pucey. It's Viktor Krum," Aaralyn squealed, gazing dreamily over at the Slytherin table where the Durmstrang contingent had chosen to sit.
"Who?" Sophie asked, eyeballing the visitors. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Aaralyn looked insulted, but did not get a chance to reply because someone else joined in their conversation.
"Come on, Sophie. Viktor Krum – the Seeker for the Bulgarian National Team," Cedric interjected as he sat down in the empty seat beside her. "He is only the best Quidditch player in the world."
"And he is so good looking," Aaralyn added, giving a sigh and still staring in Krum's direction.
Cedric raised his eyebrows at her comment but chose to ignore it. He turned his attention back to Sophie to interrogate her. "Did you put your name in?"
"No, but I heard you did," Sophie said with a fierce gaze.
"I did last night after everyone left for bed. I told you I was going to do it. Are you going to put your name in?"
It was clear to Sophie that Cedric had stopped by with this question in mind. She paused long enough to keep him guessing for a moment and then shook her head. "No, I've decided not to enter."
Cedric nodded, looking very pleased and very relieved. "I'm really glad to hear you say that." He smiled. "Well, I've got a Potions essay to finish. See you later, Sophie."
"Bye, Cedric." She was sad to see him go. It felt as if they had hardly spent any time together since arriving at school, but then again they were busy with their studies and their different circles of friends. She hoped that they would have some time together soon – maybe on the first trip to Hogsmeade.
Sophie spent most of the morning working on essays due in the upcoming week and then spent the afternoon outside with a group of her Ravenclaw friends. It was a lazy kind of day, but just the thing they needed after a hard week of lessons.
As the sun started to sink below the horizon, the students, faculty, and visitor at Hogwarts gathered back in the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast. The hall was marvelously decorated for the holiday with enormous pumpkins lining the walls and live bats fluttering around the rafters. The Goblet of Fire had been placed in front of the staff table for everyone to see. It was a cheerful event, but the room was full of anxious tension with the knowledge that their school champion would be selected at the conclusion of the feast.
"I'm so nervous I can hardly eat," Aaralyn mumbled, casting a solemn gaze at the platters which covered the table.
Sophie nodded her agreement. She felt nervous on behalf of Aaralyn and Cedric, and was also having a difficult time eating – the excitement was almost too overwhelming. "It'll be over with soon enough."
About a half hour later, Dumbledore, in usual custom, rose from his seat; instantly the entire hall fell silent and all eyes were glued to the headmaster. He announced that the Goblet of Fire would be ready shortly and launched into an explanation of what the champions were to do when their name was called. When he finished he turned his attention to goblet and waited. Tension mounted in the room as they all waited with bated breath for the selections.
Suddenly the bright blue flames turned a fiery red and sparks shot from the core. Sophie and a number of other students gave a start when a piece of parchment was ejected from the goblet.
Dumbledore caught the paper and glanced at the name. He gave a smile and announced, "The Durmstrang champion is Viktor Krum!"
Aaralyn applauded excitedly with the rest of the hall as the burly Bulgarian Seeker strode across the room and through the assigned door.
After another minute, the goblet spewed out another bit of parchment – this time for Beauxbatons.
"Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore exclaimed as one of the girls sitting at the Ravenclaw table exited the hall.
Aaralyn leaned over and whispered in Sophie's ear, "Her? Golly, she looks as though she'd snap in two if she but fell over."
Sophie chuckled, but it was quickly stifled when she realized that the only champion left was Hogwarts'. She could feel the tension steadily rising as others around her realized too. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Aaralyn's fingers crossed tightly under the table and her eyes rounded like saucers. Sophie held her breath as the goblet glowed red for the final time; her eyes followed the parchment as it arched in air and into Professor Dumbledore's outstretched hand. Her heart raced as the headmaster's eyes swept the room before calling out,
"The Hogwarts' Champion," he paused for a moment and Sophie wanted to scream for him to just say it already, "is Cedric Diggory!"
The sound which erupted after the announcement was deafening. It was a noise unlike anything that had been heard within the walls of this castle. Students at the Hufflepuff table across the room leapt to their feet, cheering. Some stayed seated but contributed to the celebration by pounding their fists on the table and stamping their feet. A smattering of students from the other houses had climbed to their feet to recognize their school champion, also shouting their congratulations.
At the sound of his name, Sophie had jumped to her feet. She banged on the table as hard as she could, trying to make as much noise as humanly possible in order to release some of the feelings that were overwhelming her. Cedric stood from the Hufflepuff table, a little red in the face, and was practically pushed across the room by all the claps on the back. Only when the door closed behind him did the noise level die, but a buzz of chatter still remained. Sophie lowered herself into her seat, grinning from ear to ear and swollen with pride. Cedric was the school champion! She was so lost in her own thoughts that she hardly registered anything else, and failed to notice that the goblet had mysteriously spit out a fourth name, Harry Potter. The only thing on Sophie's mind was Cedric.