The next morning was Saturday, and I tried without luck to sleep in that morning knowing that I could catch a late Breakfast. Emily apparently had other plans for our Saturday.

"I wonder how many people have already put their names into the Goblet of Fire." I rolled my eyes as she bounced up the stairs for the dungeons and we made our way into the Entrance Hall.

"Honestly I just want this whole tournament to go away."

"Oh where's your sense of adventure!"

"Adventure?" I chuckled. "Don't make me laugh. The first night of school, you were the one talking about death tolls and danger, now you, Miss Emily Smith, live for adventure? I'll believe that when I see it flying through the sky on a thestral."

"I don't know what makes you so grumpy about it. It's not like you're being expected to participate at all."

"I guess you're right. When they announce the Hogwarts champion at the Halloween Feast tonight, I'll be completely supportive of whoever they are."

"That's the spirit!" She said smiling. "Hey is that Fred and George?" Standing just outside the golden age line were indeed both Fred and George. Right behind them stood by brother and his two best friends.

"Let's see what that lot is up to." I told her pulling her towards them by her arm. "And what sort of trouble have you two gotten yourselves into?"

"We've done it." George said as he leaned over and whispered in my ear."Just taken it." I looked around our small group everyone looked just as confused as I felt.

"What?" Ron asked his brother.

"The Aging Potion dung Brains." Fred told him.

"One drop each." George told us proudly, rubbing his hands together with glee. "We only need to be a few months older."

"I'm not sure this is going to work you know." Hermione said disapprovingly. "I'm sure Dumbledore will have thought of this." But the twins ignored her.

"Ready Fred?"

"Ready George." Fred held up a slip of paper high above his head. He stepped through the age line without hesitation. For a second it seemed as if Fred and George had actually pulled it off. Together they let out a triumphant yell slapping each other a high five, but their celebration was short lived. As quick as a blink of an eye, there was a loud sizzling sound and both twins were hurled out of the golden circle. They landed ten feet away on the stone floor, followed by a loud popping sound as Fred and George grew identical long white beards. The Entrance Hall rang with laughter including Fred and George once they got a good look at themselves.

"I did warn you." Dumbledore's wise voice spoke as he came into the Entrance Hall from the Great Hall. His blue eyes twinkled as he eyed George and Fred. "I suggest you both go to Madame Pomfrey. She's already tending to Miss Fawcett of Ravenclaw and Mr. Summer of Hufflepuff both of whom decided to age themselves up a little too. Though I must say, neither of their beards is as fine as yours!" Fred and George made their way to the Hospital Wing, while the rest of us made our way into Breakfast. Is it had turned out the reason Emily had wanted to start the day so early, was because she desperately needed help with a potions essay that was due the coming week. It should have come as no surprise to me that though I had tried to hide my gift for potions, it was clear that I was rather good in the subject. Emily and I spent most of our day in the library working on the ever increasing pile of homework we had carelessly built up. About half way through the day Hermione joined us, her pile of homework being much smaller and much less neglected. The three of us walked down to the Halloween Feast together. As was always the case on Halloween night students were allowed to sit at any of the four house tables. This year, the tables were more diverse than ever with spots of Powder blue and bright red mixed among the Hogwarts uniforms. The three of us joined Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table where they already sat next to Fred and George.

When as last the golden plates were cleared of food, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. "The Goblet is almost ready to make its decision." Dumbledore stated. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now when the champion's names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber." He indicated the door behind the staff table where students who are about to be sorted usually wait. "From there they will wait to receive their first instructions." Dumbledore took out his wand and with a great sweeping wave extinguished most of the candles in the Great Hall, putting the room in an eerie state of semidarkness. Everyone watched as the Goblet of Fire floated into the room is blue-white flame sparkling in the darkness. The goblet came to stop before Professor Dumbledore before its blue-white flame erupted into a deep red. A Tongue of flame shot into the air and a charred piece of parchment fluttered from it. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm's length so he could read it by the light of the flames.

"The Champion for Durmstrang," He read in a strong clear voice, "Will be Viktor Krum."

"No Surprise there!" Ron shouted over the storm of applause and chanting that occupied the Great Hall. Krum rose from the Slytherin table, walked up to Dumbledore then passed along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

"Bravo Viktor!" Karkaroff boomed loudly so that everyone could hear him. "I knew you had it in you!" It didn't take long for the clapping to die down because only seconds after Viktor left, the goblet turned red and propelled a second piece of parchment from its mouth.

"The Champion from Beauxbatons, is Fleur Delecour!" A beautiful girl with silvery blonde hair made her way to Professor Dumbledore by sweeping down the aisle between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

"Oh look, they're all disappointed." Hermione said nodding to the Ravenclaw table where many of the Beauxbatons girls were seated. Disappointed was an understatement, the Beauxbatons students looked positively devastated. One girl completely lost her composure and was sobbing with her head in her hands. Once Fleur Delecour disappeared the entire hall was silent. It was time for Professor Dumbledore to announce the Hogwarts Champion.

"I wonder who it will be!" Emily squealed with glee as all eyes turned again to the jet of red flame.

"The Hogwarts Champion is," Dumbledore paused as if trying to create a dramatic effect. "Cedric Diggory."

"No!" Ron shouted angrily but his sentiment was shared by few if any, as nearly all of Hogwarts burst into joyful calls and applause. Even long after Cedric has disappeared from the room, it took time before Dumbledore could reclaim the room's attention.

"Merlin please everyone stop clapping so we can go to bed and this whole champion thing can be over with." I stated crossing my arms over my chest.

"You said you'd be supportive Alice! Be happy for Cedric, we could of had someone much worse as our champion." Emily scolded me.

"I wanted to tell Emily that she only felt that way because she thought Cedric was cute, but Dumbledore had finally reclaimed the attention of the room and I did not want to distract him from dismissing us for bed.

"Excellent!" He called out happily when the noise died down. "Well we 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 ever once of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real…" But Dumbledore suddenly stopped talking as the goblet of fire turned red once again. Sparks were flying out of it, and a long flame shot into the air, coughing up another piece of parchment. Both mesmerized and horrified, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and collected the parchment mid-air. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause in which Dumbledore continued to stare at the slip of parchment in his hands, and the entire room stared at Dumbledore. It was as if time was standing still, and then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out

Allison Potter.