Chapter 18:
The great hall was crowded with students from Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang; everyone was waiting for the cup to give out the names of the three champions.
The cup suddenly glowed and spit out the first piece of parchment into Dumbledore's hand
"Our Beauxbatons Champion is…Fleur Delacour!"
Fleur then strutted towards Dumbledore, her blond hair flowing, and shook the headmaster's hand.
The cup glowed again, and another piece of parchment was flew into the headmaster's hand.
"Our Durmstrang Champion…Victor Krum!"
All Durmstrang students cheered and clapped Victor on the back while he walked towards Dumbledore.
And as the last piece of paper flew into Dumbledore's hand, he stated proudly
"And our Hogwarts Champion is…Orion Black!"
All Hogwarts students cheered with glee ! The marauders were ecstatic as they all ushered Orion towards Dumbledore.
"I can't believe it, he got in, Orion's a champion!" Neville exclaimed
"Me neither, it's just so great!" Ron said as he ran towards Orion, Neville following him.
Hermione then grabbed Draco's arm, her eyes threatening to shed tears, she said to him pleadingly
"Get him to quit Draco, this tournament is dangerous, even fatal!"
Draco looked at her softly "He can't Hermione, he's obligated to participate, the goblet of fire is a binding contract, it cannot be broken. But he'll be alright 'Mione, don't worry." He then went to congratulate his best friend.
Hermione then looked behind her and saw Susan tearing up, and running towards Orion.
"Orion please don't do it, please!" Susan cried pleadingly
Orion then pulled her close to his chest, hugging her, and then told her with a smile on his face "I'm going to be just fine Susan, I'll be well prepared and trained." He then let go of her as his friends lifted him up in the air, cheering for him.
She dropped the letter to the floor and ran as fast as she could to the Duke's study, her silky black locks flowing, and as she reached the door, she twisted the doorknob and ran into the office and towards her husband.
"Hestia, what's wrong?!" Sirius jumped from behind his desk and towards her.
"Orion…my baby…Orion!" she cried into his chest
"Orion?! What is it Hestia, is he hurt?!"
"The triwizard tournament…Orion got in…" she said between sobs
Sirius' expression broke into a grin and he cried with glee "Do you know what this means Hestia? Our son's a champion!"
The Duchess' eyes narrowed, she broke free from her husband's embrace and glared at him, throwing her arms in the air "He might DIE ! My baby might die ! Sirius if you do not put an end to this suicidal mission I will!"
"Hestia calm down…"
"I will not! I certainly will not! My son will not participate in this event, he will not and that is final!" she then turned on her heels and left the study, leaving a flustered Sirius behind.
She sat by the lake, a large book in her hands. She flipped page after page, her eyes skimming the book curiously.
"Trying to find a loophole?"
Draco sat next to her, a smirk on his face.
"Yes, obviously, there must be a way to get him out of it!" Hermione shut the book and looked at Draco's gray-blue eyes, with a determined look on her face
"There isn't Hermione, just stop exhausting yourself trying, look at all the other girls getting themselves ready for the Yule ball." He said sarcastically
"How many have chased you by now?" Hermione said, with a small smile on her face
"A dozen I think, maybe more, it's annoying really, I don't know how Orion puts up with it. I mean girls must wait for the guy to ask them, not just throw themselves at him! So has anyone asked you yet 'Mione?"
"A few, but I said no to them. It is really annoying me too" Hermione was slightly getting nervous 'is he going to ask me?' she thought
Draco suddenly put an arm around her and said with a cheeky grin on his face "I'll save the agony of being asked by more jerks then, how about we go together? At least you won't be going with a complete stranger…"
To say Hermione was elated on the inside was and understatement, her cheeks were flushed and a smile played at her lips, she then replied with a small voice "Yes, well it would probably be best."
"Good then, see you at dinner 'Mione." He kissed her on the cheek and left towards the quidditch pitch.
"hmm improvement I see, improvement indeed…" Ginny said as she sat next to Hermione and wiggled her eyebrows
"You were snooping Ginny?!"
"Oh shut up, we both know you're really excited now! Oh 'Mione I'm so happy for you!" The redhead exclaimed as she threw her arms around her best friend, hugging her close
"Ginny! It's not like he asked me out, we're just going as friends…" Hermione wiggled out of her best friend's embrace
"It might start out that way, but soon it will turn to something more ! Anyway, guess who asked me out!"
"Michael..?"
"Hell no Hermione! Neville, he asked me to go with him to the ball, and I said Yes!"
"Wow that is great news Ginny!" Hermione smiled at her friend
"And Susan's going with Orion, obviously"
"Well they have been dating for over a month now…" Hermione stated
"You should've seen Ron's face when Neville asked me, it was hilarious, he was as red as Hogwarts express!" The two girls laughed at the thought as they headed towards the castle.
I hope you loved this chapter, I updated fast this time! Tell me what you think with your reviews! xoxo