A/N: srry for the delay but things have been kinda busy lately...i'm back to work and they did alot of adjustments to our machines (making them run faster so we hafta move even faster to keep up) so all i wanna do is come home and sleep...then i lost my net but borrowing a friend's atm so i can do these updates, so enjoy this chapter and the next as a reward for waiting so long (i'll try to get the fifth chap up son)
Chapter Three
For once the Professors were shocked at how eager their students were to be in the Great Hall so early in the morning, or at least how every student wanted to be there when usually only a few were early risers while the rest straggled inside long enough to get a bit to eat and their schedules before hurrying off to classes. And the early risers, which consisted of the entire Slytherin House with a few members of the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws, were also a bit wide eyed to see the Hall so full as the younger years strode inside followed by their elders.
Then again they could understand as nothing of this magnitude had ever happened. Even they, the Professors, were excited to see their sister and brother schools. This same excitement had the students following their Professors out the Hall to the grounds, watching with bated breath.
"Look!" A tiny First Year saw them first, her finger pointing the way for all eyes to see.
Gasps and feminine squeals filled the air as a very large powder blue carriage began to wing its way by use of a dozen pure white winged Pegasus, each practically as large as the carriage they seemingly made look like a feather being pulled along despite their lunging thrusts and pawing hooves. The ground rumbled as they landed, pounding their way to a stop where many swore the carriage was about to tilt and fall over as it shuttered and swayed dangerously. Instead it slowly creaked into place as each horse snorted and brayed, wings stretching before folding along heaving backs.
Sighing dreamily were several Muggleborns as they remembered the fairy tales they grew up with, one such girl with a Muggleborn mother remembered every story about an everyday girl playing dress up only to win her prince in the end. To them these horses and carriage represented the fairy tale of each young girl wanted to win her prince.
Not even seeing the enormously tall woman, reminding many of their fellow Groundskeeper, Hagrid, could deter the fantasy. Although it did explain the size of the carriage and horses. "Ah, welcome to Hogwarts, Madame Maxime."
The Headmistress of Beaubaxton smiled as she rustled her richly decorated dress robes and skirts to hold out a large gloved hand to a greeting Hogwarts Headmaster, behind her stepped down girl after girl dressed in the same powdery blue dresses and robes as the carriage, lining up quickly behind their Headmistress. As one they curtsey while murmuring, "Good day, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Most the older boys stared in fascination at the sight of some of the prettiest girls ever in flowing silk like robes, practically panting in interest at their feminine wiles and exotic accent. Their female counterparts, especially those whose boyfriend were losing their tongues and eyes in staring, glared heavily, not liking how they instinctively knew the boys were comparing them.
Dumbledore pressed his guests into the waiting hands of his Deputy, knowing the slight chill wasn't conductive environment for young girls in lightly made robes while he waited the arrival of their brother school.
Creeeeeaaak!
Silenced reigned as students tried to discover where such a sound came when ripples from the Black Lake bore interest. They watched with wide eyes as a enormous dark ship, looking black when drenched in water, literally rise from beneath the waters of the lake. It groaned and creaked and moaned as it pushed upwards, forcing itself from deep below to above before settling into quiet peaceful docking just several feet from the shores. All watched as several fur trimmed cape wearing young men walked calmly from their rooms to the upper decks as a magically drawn plank connected the ship to shore. Dumbledore and his remaining Professors waiting at the end as the stoic figure of a similar brooding, pale skinned, dark hair and eyed Headmaster swept down with his students marching in line.
Where the boys had stared and admired the graceful feminine curves of the Beaubaxton girls, the Hogwarts girls were now admiring the calm muscled form of the Durmstrang boys. Even well-known bookworm, who always saw studies and books more then human companionship, was seen staring at the marching wizards. But whereas the boys should have been glaring at the panting females, they were too busy gushing over a very familiar face, " Krum! It's Victor Krum!" Excited whispers burst throughout all Quidditch followers as said wizard stormed his way into Hogwarts as their Headmaster followed Dumbledore.
***Later***
Ember was excited. For the past week, the Professors were light on homework and class work as they allowed all three schools to meet and make friends or allies with each other. Everyone debated with their new and old friends on who would make Champion of each school, though no one argued about anyone but Krum being Durmstrang's.
Ember was even more excited when she learned her bookworm friend had unintentionally drawn the interest of Victor Krum, despite spurning whatever looks he cast her way or never paying attention as she was know for when it came to books and learning. She enjoyed seeing and hearing the jealous ranting of the other girls who were desperate in learning how Hermione so easily gained his attention when they failed.
She was even laughing as Hermione berated the Weasley Twins for daring to try and fool the age wards, all the while watching as Krum stared intently at the bushy haired brunette. She couldn't wait to see her friend become flabbergasted when a boy showered her with attention, forcing her from her books.
"Quiet!" Dumbledore called for attention. For the past week the Ministry aides had been allowing all possible Champions their turn to add their names to the Goblet. Many had been undecided but figured it was worth a shot even if they didn't get drawn. "For the past week we have had given access to the Goblet for all chosen students to participate as well as allowing all three schools to form strong alliance bonds among each other. But now it has come time to draw forth each Champion to represent the three schools during the Three Tasks chosen by the Ministry Gaming Officials. The judges shall include all three Heads of the schools and two workers representing the Ministry, Ludo Bagman and Bartemius Crouch, Sr." He beckoned for the Goblet to be wheeled to his side, "and now we shall learn who the three Champions are." Cheers erupted as the Goblet flared brightly, spitting forth its first piece of parchment in which Dumbledore swiftly captured, "And representing Durmstrang, Victor Krum!" Among the whistles and catcalls, almost loud enough to break the Hall's windows, an unknown aide lead the stoic male in questioned through a side door. Once it closed the Goblet roared alive for a second time, "And representing Beaubaxton, Fleur Delacour!" Similar noise followed the lovely white blonde as she practically danced past the tables to her waiting aide and flowing out the door smiling as disappointed sighs followed her disappearing back. "And finally, representing Hogwarts, Cedric Diggory!" His cheers were loudest as almost the entire school erupted in showing their school pride in their chosen Champion. "Yes, yes, well done! Congratulations to our chosen…."
Shock filled the remaining people as the Goblet flared brightly, almost blinding the Hall. Confused, Dumbledore reluctantly caught the flaming scrap of parchment, twinkle dying as his blue eyes narrowed, voice filled with empowered danger, causing shivers to flow down his students spines, "Ember Potter!"
Shrieks filled the air as no sooner then did he speak a shocked Girl-Who-Lived's name then the Goble did the impossible. Everyone ducked, trying to shove each other for a spot beneath the tables while the Professors were hard pressed to cast a split second shield, some falling to the floor at the room shaking vibrations of a powerful object called the Goblet of Fire vivaciously exploded into tiny pieces, tiny flaming pieces embedding themselves into stone walls, tables. Same pieces even shatter the Hall's windows, shredding the welcome banners and utterly destroying the simple feast, showering plates and goblets with flaming pieces of metal.