Helena and Katie were forced to place their names into the old Goblet of Fire, along with other people in their year from Hogwarts and the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. Though, more people were a lot more excited and reckless than they were to be entering their named. It was only a number of long, drawn out days until the Goblet of Fire decided who would enter the dangerous tasks of the Tournament.
x
Headmaster Soren stood paitently, and slightly humbly, at the end of the large hall, in front of the Goblet of Fire. He was about to release the names from the cup.
"I must warn you now," he stated deeply, slowing his words ever so slightly so that you could almost see the words linger in mid-air, then fall to the ground in a neat pile. "If your name is to come out of this cup, there is no going back. A magical contract will be formed with the student and the Tournament immediately after coming out of the cup, and you cannot break it. You have been warned. Now, let's begin..."
The Goblet of Fire ignited its own flames, sparking red, then a tiny piece of new Parchment came out of it. Headmaster Soren called out,
"The Beauxbatons Champion is Maurice Bouvard!"
The other Beauxbatons students politely clapped, as they obviously didn't want that particular student for the representation of their school. He didn't look too pleased, either. It was obvious that he was not a very skilled student and he was often over shadowed. Though, he was forced to do it all the same.
The Goblet ignited itself again and another piece of Parchment came out.
"The Durmstrang Champion is Margot Letzel!"
The Durmstrang students clapped immensely, especially the ones around Helena. She wondered if they were her friends, or just excited that she was chosen. She guessed that they were both. It was apparently considered a great honour to be entered into the Tournament by Durmstrang students.
For the last time, the Goblet ignited and out came a crumbled piece of Parchment.
"Finally, the Hogwarts Champion is Camille Avery!"
Avery, Helena thought spitefully. She had heard that name before. But where? It annoyed her immensely, yet she was subconsciously clapping for the seventh year student.
"Now that our Champions have been decided," said Headmaster Soren, the excitement dying down at an extreme rate. Helena didn't know how he was doing it. "They must prepare for the Challenges that they face. The First Task takes place next month, and a riddle is going to be out to all Champions to figure out. Champions may stay here at this great castle, or they may travel back to their former schools and arrive here by Portkey once the Task takes place. They may wish to bring other students to watch too, as so do the Heads of Hogwarts and Beauxbatons," he took a nod at Voldemort and the Headmistress of Beauxbatons. "I look forward to seeing all of you for the First Task."
x
Back At Hogwarts
Hogwarts was buzzing of the Triwizard Tournament, and Helena had no idea why everyone was so excited for it. Maybe they hard what the First Task was before she did. That was mainly the case about many things. But she happened to come across the clue for the First Task, which was a bit... unimaginative.
To pass into the next Task,
You must obey.
Helena glared at it for a mere second.
"Seriously?" she said out loud to herself; to no one.
"What?" answered Katie almost immediately.
"'You must obey'," she repeated.
"Obey to what?"
"A command, possibly. But that's got no imagination at all. They could use the Imperius Curse."
"Maybe they have to do it out of their free will?" suggested Katie.
"Possibly, but it'd be less effort to just control them."
"But, I suppose the Task is to make them do it, as it's against their will, but they have to do it and not fail."
"Perhaps."
"What if the Dark Lord wanted to find out who would do his bidding, so he can recruit more people into being Death Eaters?"
Helena looked at her for a second, thinking how far she's adapted to the current situation of the Wizarding World.
x
It was a calm Thursday and Helena was walking around Hogwarts, she had just finished her last lesson. She often wandered around to clear her mind. Unfortunately, her mind wasn't as clear as it would've been usually since Voldemort decided to come up to her and talk to her.
"Hello, Helena," he said.
"Hi," she said, slightly bored.
"I'm surprised that you haven't complained about the clue for the First Task, yet."
"I'm surprised that you haven't complained about the fact that I am not in the Triwizard Tournament."
"You're certainly going to be chosen for it next time," he stated gruffly.
"Whatever you say."
"So, what do you think of the clue?" he asked her, ignoring her last comment.
"Unimaginative, definitely," she replied vaguely. She did not wish to be talking to him.
"How so?"
"Well, making someone do something is rather boring and predictable, don't you think?"
"I'm starting off easy."
"Easier than last time."
"Anyway, that's not why I'm here."
"Oh yeah? Why are you here? Come to make me into a Death Eater or whatever?"
"No," he said simply. "Not yet, anyway. I'm here because I thought I should invite you to the First Task."
"It's not really inviting me if I have to go, is it?"
"You don't have to go."
"Yes I do."
"You're right, you do."
"I'll need more details."
"Certainly. I'll send you a letter."
And he walked off.
"Of course," she muttered to herself.
Then she travelled back to the Ravenclaw dormitory, only to collapse on her bed after the weight on her feet had hurt her immensely.