A/N: *Hide behind the sofa* I'm so sorry for the gap between updates. Real life and been getting in the way. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I look forward to reading our opinions XD Take care and the next chapter will be up soon xxx
Chapter Twelve: The Goblet of Fire Part 1
After the feast, Hermione said goodnight to her parents and to her room, where she wrote a quick goodnight message to Severus before going to sleep, knowing that she and everyone else in the castle would have a very busy year, what with having two other schools joining them in the castle for the Triwizard Tournament. Meanwhile, Minerva and Albus stayed sat in the living room, Albus holding Minerva close while she starred into the blazing fire.
"What's on your mind, love?"
"Everything."
"Care to expand on that?"
"Having two extra schools here, the tournament, the dark mark appearing at the Quidditch World Cup, Hermione, Severus' relationship with our daughter, you. I think that's it."
"That's a lot to be thinking about all at once."
"Way to point out the obvious Albus." Minerva sighed. "I'm sorry. This is already giving me a headache and the year has barely started."
"It's completely understandable love. I know that I put far too much responsibility on you, and if you wish, I could spread some of it across the staff."
"You've already done that once Albus. Has deputy I have to have more than everyone else to do and hold together, it's only right."
"I know that Minerva, but you've held your position and everything that has come with it for the past thirty years, and you have to accept help when you need it. I can't keep expecting you to do your job and half of mine as well."
"Your busy trying to end this war Albus, I completely understand and won't ask any different from you, just as long as you stay in one piece until the end."
"I have the same request of you."
"I know that I'm not going to break that any time soon, Al."
"And I hope that I won't break it either."
Minerva just looked up at Albus was a raised eyebrow. The pair chuckled and kissed briefly in their happiness, something which they both knew would be scarce for the following year.
~0~0~
The day before Halloween, after all the Hogwarts and extra students had all settled into the routine of the school life (including lessons for Beauxbatons and Durmstrang), Albus decided that it was the right time to put out the Goblet of Fire at breakfast that morning. It was a Wednesday, and the students throughout the years were buzzing for it, or they were. Until Barty Crouch Senior arrived and Professor Dumbledore made a speech to them all, knowing that he would be listened by the student bodies more so than Barty.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman, and they have made the necessary arrangements for the challenge. There will be three tasks spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways… their magical prowess – their daring – their powers of deduction – and, of course, their ability to cope with danger.
"As you know, three champions compete in the Tournament, one from each of the participating schools. They will me marked in how well they perform each of the Tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector… The Goblet of Fire."* With a great flourish of his wand, the cover over the large stand and goblet disappeared. The goblet, it seemed, was full to the brim of blue flames, witch lit the area around it brightly, causing the staff and students in the hall to look at the object in awe.
"Anyone wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment, and drop it into the Goblet. Aspiring champions have twenty-four hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the Goblet will return the names of the three it has judge most worthy to represent their schools. The Goblet will be placed in the Entrance Hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete.
"To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation,"* a set of moans, groans and shouts called out through the hall and Albus raised his voice. "I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the Entrance hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line."* A short burst of cries erupted before Minerva stood and shushed them.
"Finally, I wish to impress upon any of you wishing to compete that this Tournament not be entered into lightly.* Once the Goblet has chosen the champions, they cannot retract and must carry on with the entire Tournament, so therefore, be sure that this is whole-heartedly what you want before putting your name into the Goblet. Now, enjoy the feast."
Albus took his seat next to Minerva and held her hand under the table, knowing that she was now even more worried about this tournament as the goblet had been put out at as late a date as possible.
"I'm a little more comfortable knowing that only students of-age can partake, Albus."
"As am I Minerva. I believe the Ministry decided that if they were going to bring back the tournament, that after last time, they would have to change a few of the rules, that being one of them."
Minerva nodded and squeezed his hand before they both turned to their food.
Throughout the next twenty-four hours students across all three schools put their names within the goblet and many in the younger years at Hogwarts tried to do so, only to be blown backwards and grow beards for the day, it was a funny sight for all, but many of the teachers looked at those pupils with disappointment, although no more punishment was given to them, as they each understood what it felt like to try something so daring that was right in front of them.
For those twenty-our hours, Minerva watched carefully over the hall, having set herself up in her office with a view through a portrait which could see the entire Entrance Hall. She was constantly watching it and making sure that no danger came to any of the students staying within the school grounds while they watched as the older students submitted their names for the selection later that day. From her place at her desk, she could clearly see Hermione sat at a little desk in the corner with her school work out, almost playing peace keeper, as every time an argument broke out, she would defuse it and send for a teacher if necessary. Minerva could feel her heart swell every time her daughter was thanked for helping someone out within the hall and her swelled even more when she thought of her daughter giving up precious time in the library studying to oversee the hall, even though it wasn't her duty to do that. After making a mental note to speak to the prefects who should have been supervising the hall, Minerva turned back to the papers she was grading, keeping one eye on the portrait at all times.
The next day, after the Halloween Feast had passed without a hitch, Albus stood and addressed the entire school body as he the previous day, only this time, he was anxious as to the results. Minerva placed a hand on his knee and squeezed, reassuring him and herself silently, before seeking her daughter's eyes, and smiled. Hermione knew her parents were worried and she understood that, but she felt it was getting to her mother particularly well, and so, she made a mental note to try and speak to her father about it to see if something could be done to help her out a little. She was pulled out of her thoughts by her father standing in front of the teacher's table, ready to address everyone in the hall.
"Happy Halloween to you all! It's good to have had a year that has gone without a hitch." Albus heard his wife sigh and felt her shake her head. "I do believe that it is now the time that you have all been waiting for, the choosing of the Triwizard Champions! One person will be chosen by the Goblet from each school, each of who have entered their names for consideration over the past twenty-four hours." Albus stepped up to it as the flames turned blue and heightened by four feet. A piece of parchment was shot into the air and gently floated down into the Headmaster's hands.
During this time, Minerva had stood and came to stand just a few feet away from her husband, who was reading the first name.
"For Beauxbatons Academy for Magic…Fleur Delacour!"
The girl dressed in blue robes and hat jumped from her seat and skipped over to the Headmaster and her Headmistress. The Hall had erupted into applause with the Beauxbatons girls jumping up and down, celebrating their chosen one. She was led by her Headmistress to the trophy room, which sat behind the Great Hall.
The Goblet repeated the same process again. "For Durmstrang…Viktor Krum!"
The boys of the German school cheered loudly as did the other students within the hall, most of which were fans of the seeker. With a smile on his face, he smartly walked from his seat, to the High Grand Master, and, as Miss Delacour did, went through the back entrance of the hall.
Another large blue flame shot out of the top of the Goblet. "For Hogwarts…"
All the teachers held their breath and Minerva moved to stand next to Albus, slightly wringing her hands, trying to hold in her nerves.
"Cedric Digory!"
Minerva let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding in, she knew that Cedric was more than capable of handling anything that the tournament threw at him, but she was still worried. There was something in the pit of her stomach telling her that something was wrong, and she was proven right when the Goblet spat out another names through a red flame.
Albus looked it over sceptically. "Harry Potter…Harry Potter!"
Minerva gasped and reached for the paper, which her husband handed over to her. She couldn't believe her eyes and looked worriedly as Harry stopped in front of her. She placed a hand on his shoulder, looked briefly at Albus and led Harry down to where the three champions and their mentors were meeting.
Hermione sighed when her father dismissed everyone in the hall and the other members of staff stayed to make sure that everyone got off to where they were supposed to be. She headed to her room within her parents chambers and sat up with her door open and her sketch pad on her lap, watching for them to arrive.
Two hours later and Albus arrived in their chambers with Minerva on his arm. Hermione smiled at them and stood with her most recent sketch in her hands. It was now past her curfew, so she handed her parents the sketch, hugged them both and headed to her room for the night. Albus and Minerva stood in the entrance to their room for a few moments in shock at their daughter before moving off to the living room, where they discarded their outer robes and snuggled close to each other in front of the blazing fire.
"This damn tournament is cursed Albus."
"It is. I was surprised to learn that they didn't listen to my advice, not to bring it back in."
"Bloody dunderheads."
The pair chuckled and looked at the sketch still in their hands. Minerva smiled widely and a tear slipped down her cheek. Albus too smiled, something he rarely did while they were at the castle.
"She really does have a good eye."
"I think she needs glasses. She draws me far too beautifully."
"I'll have to disagree with that love. I think she catches you just right. Me on the other hand…I think she's missed a few wrinkles here and there."
"I think it's the spitting image of you."
"I think you need some stronger glasses my dear."
Minerva shook her head and kissed Albus' cheek. He wrapped his arm around her a little tighter and kissed her crown. The pair basked in the peace and happiness of being together without interruption.
To Be Continued...