A Surprising Goblet

Disclaimer: How I wish I didn't have to say, "I don't own anything."

Kitty, like most others, woke up early the next day, and set off at half past six towards the Great Hall with Luna. After breakfasting, Luna, Vandyll, Dennis and Kitty joined Harry, Ron and Hermione in the entrance hall. As they circled the Goblet of Fire, Fred, George and Lee Jordan came hurrying towards them, looking excited.

"Just taken it, the aging potion," said Fred. "Yes, and it's really thanks to Kitty as she brewed it for us," added George. Hermione cast a disapproving look towards Kitty, but said nothing. The twins, grinned at Kitty, and stepped over the Age line surrounding the Goblet. For a split second, Kitty thought that they had succeeded, but a second later, they were hurled out of the circle by an invisible force and sprouted identical long white beards.

"I did warn you," said a deep, amused voice, and everyone turned to see Professor Dumbledore coming out of the Great Hall. He surveyed Fred and George, his eyes twinkling. "I suggest you both go up to Madam Pomfrey. She is already tending to Miss Fawcett, of Ravenclaw, and Mr. Summers, of Hufflepuff, both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is anything like as fine as yours."

Fred and George set off for the hospital wing, accompanied by Lee, who was howling with laughter. Just then, Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor Chaser stepped forward, and put her name in the Goblet. The Gryffindors cheered. "I hope you get it, Angelina," said Kitty and Hermione together.

The Beauxbatons students led by Madame Maxime stepped up and dropped their names into the Goblet one by one. Ron drew in his breath as the Veela girl (as Ron called her), passed by him. Harry, Ron and Hermione left the hall with a large box of SPEW badges. Kitty suspected that they were going to visit Hagrid.

Vandyll and Kitty sat down on a nearby bench to watch the remaining contenders, while Luna sprinted off to the library and Dennis walked off with his brother, Colin. Very soon, a tall, brown haired handsome boy came in surrounded by a bunch of Hufflepuff girls. "Put it in, Cedric," said one of them shrilly. "You're sure to be chosen Cedric, you are so handsome!" shrieked another, as her friend nudged her and both of them lapsed into giggles. "Honestly," said Kitty as the boy called Cedric put in his name and left the hall with all the girls following close by.

The next person to put in his name, was none other than the boy, Dennis had pointed out the last evening, Viktor Krum. He marched up to the goblet along with a few other Durmstrang boys and cast his name into it. After doing so, he walked up to Kitty and said, "Katherine, can I haff a word?" Slightly surprised, Kitty nodded and walked aside, wondering how he knew her name.

"Katherine," he began, but Kitty cut him off by saying, "Please call me Kitty." "Well then Kitty, you are Harry Potter's little sister. Tell me are you a friend of that girl who stays with Harry Potter?" Kitty nodded. "What is her name?"

"Hermione Granger," she said. "Can you tell me more about her?" he asked, reddening slightly. Kitty, wondering what this was about, started, "Well, she is a fourth year, just like Harry, she is a muggle born. Her parents are dentists. She is the best in Harry's year. She loves books, likes to follow school rules and oh, how can I forget, she is obsessed with house elves," Kitty said, rolling her eyes.

"House elfs?" said Krum, surprised. "Yes," Kitty continued, "If you want to befriend her, you must be prepared to join spew, that is, she calls it The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare." Krum looked confused. "And, er, could you—vould you happen to know if she er, likes someone?" said Krum, trying to sound offhand.

"Oh," said Kitty understanding everything, "No, not that I know of." Krum looked like he was about to go, when he said, "So Herm-owninny is not vith your brother or that other redheaded boy?" "No," said Kitty so firmly that she was sure that it had sounded rude. Krum, however, looked extremely pleased. "Thank you," he said to her and set off with his Durmstrang friends, many of whom were casting shifty looks towards Kitty.

Glad that that was over, Kitty heaved a sigh, and walked back to Vandyll. "So, what was that about? And why are you grinning?" he asked suspiciously. "What? No, nothing. He was asking about Harry, that is." "Well, if you say so," said Vandyll looking unconvinced.

Not many more people came to put their names in the goblet. Kitty barely knew anyone else, the only ones she did know were, Narcenain Fel, the Ravenclaw Prefect, and Jek Harrison, who was the older brother of a fellow first.

A few hours later all students were asked to return to the Great Hall, where they were seated at their House Tables. The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Perhaps because it was their second feast in two days, Kitty didn't seem to fancy the extravagantly prepared food as much as she would have normally. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether Dumbledore had finished eating yet, Kitty simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as champions.

At last, Dumbledore stood up and said, "The champions are about to be selected. When their names are called, they will step forth, and go into the next chamber, where they will receive their instructions." The flames in the goblet turned red, and the next moment, a charred piece of parchment flew out.

"The champion for Durmstrang is," boomed Dumbledore's voice, "VIKTOR KRUM!" a storm of applause and cheering swept the hall. Krum caught Kitty's eye, who grinned, and mouthed "Congrats!" Krum rose from the Slytherin table, and passed into the next chamber. Now everyone's attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore "is FLEUR DELACOUR!" The veela girl got up gracefully from the Ravenclaw table and swept across the hall into the chamber, as the hall clapped and cheered once more. And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment.

"The Hogwarts champion," Dumbledore called, "is CEDRIC DIGGORY!" Kitty groaned, as the Hufflepuff table cheered in uproar, and Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily at last as the tumult died down. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him. The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out -

"Harry Potter."

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